Negotiation

Disclaimer: We all know it's all Jo's...

Author Note: I am so sorry for the delay in this update! RL got away with my betas and me. But, hopefully this chapter (which I worked very hard on) will make up for it. Enjoy! :-D

Chapter 2: Negotiation

Hermione awoke with a yawn and gently removed the orange ball of fur that was her cat, Crookshanks, from her chest. She climbed out of bed, stretching as she made her way to the loo. She had slept a little later than normal. However, her parents didn't need her at their office today, so a short lie in wouldn't hurt. She quickly showered, dressed, and headed down to the kitchen to make herself some breakfast.

As she sat down with her plate of eggs, bacon and toast, she heard a soft but persistent tap on the kitchen window. That could only be the sound of an owl attempting to make a delivery. Since she had just seen the boys (as she often referred to Harry and Ron), she figured it couldn't possibly be them writing to her. With a puzzled expression, she got up to open the window. She took the parchment from the owl's leg, gasping loudly as she read the letter.

Ms. Granger,

Professor Severus Snape

She was ecstatic that Professor Snape appeared willing to consider her as an apprentice. However, she couldn't help but be astonished...and a little wary. She had braced herself for a fight. His apparent acquiescence was somewhat alarming. Snape was not known for making things simple for anyone, especially Gryffindors. He was a Slytherin, after all; he wouldn't have said yes if there wasn't something in it for him.

She was smart enough to decide that he must be up to something. A small shiver ran down her spine as she contemplated what the enigmatic Potions master could have in store for her at this meeting. She would definitely need to be prepared for anything. She was determined to get him to accept, but she didn't want to get run roughshod over either. He had risked his life for the Order, however. He had even saved her life a couple of times. Whatever he wanted couldn't possibly be all that bad...could it? A peck on her arm brought her out of her reverie.

"Ouch! That hurt!" she reprimanded the bird. It gave an impatient hoot in response. "Well, all right. But there is no need to be so impolite about it." She gave the bird a bit of toast then retrieved a bowl with some water. After finishing its treat, the owl flew out the window without a backwards glance at Hermione. It must be Professor Snape's personal owl. It certainly has his temperament, she thought wryly.

She rose and began cleaning her mess from breakfast. Magic was good for a great many things, but she preferred doing housecleaning, such as washing, without magic. She especially preferred working by hand when she needed to think. She needed to keep her hands busy to prevent the nervousness from overwhelming her. Thoughts of her upcoming meeting with the professor continued to bother her even as she dried the dishes and returned them to the cabinets.

What would he demand in exchange for helping her obtain her Mastery in Potions? Whatever he planned, she knew she was up to the task. The Sorting Hat hadn't put her in Gryffindor for nothing, after all. She needed to be prepared to call on all of her Gryffindor courage. She was determined that her surly former professor would not prevent her from getting what she wanted. She had four days to mentally prepare herself for the meeting and his plans for her.

****** ****** ******

For Hermione, Thursday couldn't get there fast enough. Time seemed to stand still. She occupied herself with reading every potions-related article, book and scrap of paper she could get her hands on. She needed to be prepared for any questions he might ask regarding the latest developments in the field. Initially, her parents insisted she eat meals with them, but when she continuously babbled about how excited she was about the possibility of this apprenticeship, they eventually gave up.

Hermione awoke at day break Thursday morning. She took time to review all her notes from the books and articles she had read. She also took extra time with her appearance. She wanted him to see her as a sophisticated adult, not a nattering little girl with her hand in the air as she had been at school. She smoothed her hair into soft ringlets as best she could before donning a knee-length navy blue skirt and crisp white button-down shirt beneath her best robes.

She Apparated to Hogsmeade station at exactly 8:27 and began searching for the promised carriage. It arrived promptly at 8:30 and took her to the front door of the castle. She pushed the huge doors open and automatically began descending the stairway that led to the dungeons and Professor Snape's office.

As she walked through the corridors, empty due to the summer holidays, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. She smiled as she thought of her many adventures wandering these corridors with Harry and Ron. It felt so good to be back. She felt as though she were returning home. She loved the school, but she never wanted to be a teacher. Merlin knew she did enough of that with Ron, Harry, and Neville to last a lifetime. She felt giddy at the prospect of spending just one more year at Hogwarts, however. Forcing herself to concentrate on the task at hand, she let out a deep breath as she hesitantly knocked on the door to Professor Snape's office.

"Enter," was the curt reply. She pushed the door open before giving a nervous smile to the man sitting behind his desk as she entered.

"Good morning, sir," she said as she quietly shut the door with a soft click. She moved to stand in front of the desk, waiting for him to speak.

"Please, take a seat, Miss Granger," he said, motioning to the single chair in front of his desk. "As we both know why you are here, we shall dispense with the pleasantries. You wish to become my apprentice, correct?"

"Yes, sir," she stated plainly, forcing herself to swallow the nervous lump in her throat.

"Very well," said Professor Snape, interrupting her thoughts. "Are you willing to accept taking my direction as your master? I will not tolerate insubordination in any respect. If I agree to this, I expect your complete obedience. I also expect you to adhere to all the terms I require." He paused to remove a roll of parchment from the top drawer in his desk, which he then handed to her. "This is the contract I require you to sign before I agree to teach you. Some of the terms may seem...unusual. However, I assure you there are legitimate reasons for those requests, and I will not budge on any count. I will allow you some time now to read it so we may then openly discuss any...questions you may have."

Forcing her nervous hand to stay steady, she reached across the desk and accepted the proffered material and unrolled it. He had already written a contract? He was definitely up to something. She knew she needed to be very careful here.

The first half appeared reasonable. She would live at Hogwarts for one year and be under his tutelage as he taught her everything there was to know about the art of potion making. She would also have to actively work on a research project of her own choosing, which would be submitted before The Board of Potions Masters to determine whether she received her Mastery or not.

However, when she got to the second half her eyes became as large as saucers and she audibly gasped. "What does this second half mean, Professor?"

"Surely, Miss Granger," the Professor purred in his most silky voice, "you are intelligent enough to figure it out."

"You aren't serious about this, are you?" she asked incredulously. "Why would you want this? You don't even like me. Why on earth would you want to...to...well, why would you want such a thing? And why me of all people?"

He waited for her to finish. "Miss Granger, are you familiar with wizarding customs regarding families? Specifically, are you familiar with social traditions of the upper-class pure-blood families?"

She gave him a bewildered look before answering. "Not really. Being a Muggle-born, I have never felt the need to look into them, so I am unfamiliar with them. What does that have to do with this?" she said waving the contract at him.

"Miss Granger, I am from a very old pure-blood family. The Snapes, at one time, were a very prestigious family in the wizarding world. However, during the last few decades many have been killed, disgraced or simply died off. I am, unfortunately, the last of my line. As such, it is my responsibility to maintain the Snape heritage. As you can probably surmise, witches do not storm the castle to profess their undying love for me." Hermione snorted at that, causing the Professor to pause as he glared at her.

"As I was saying," he continued, "I am not the most sought after bachelor in England, so I must consider...other means if I am to produce an heir."

"Well, that makes sense. But why now?" The dark, knowing look he gave her was all the answer needed. "Oh, I see. It wasn't safe to have a child while you were still spying on Voldemort."

Snape winced when the last word left her lips, and she immediately regretted saying it. "Miss Granger," he hissed in his most dangerous voice, "when you agree to this contract, I will insist that you please refrain from throwing that name around so carelessly whilst in my presence."

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "Er...so how exactly would this work? I didn't finish reading the entire contract. I mean, I know you're not proposing that we get married or anything, so how do you propose we...er, produce this child?" she asked with nervousness in her voice.

Snape sighed loudly before explaining. "There is a clinic at St. Mungo's that specialises in fertility. There is a relatively simple procedure that would allow us to...produce a child, as you said."

"I've not heard about this before. Is the procedure painful?" she asked.

Severus opened his mouth as if to speak, but quickly shut it again. After thinking for a moment, he finally answered. "I believe, Miss Granger, that some women do find it to be...uncomfortable, but only negligibly so. The discomfort is usually said to be momentary. Most recover fully after a day of rest."

"That doesn't sound too bad. For a minute I was afraid you wanted to shag me or something," she said with a nervous laugh. Professor Snape, however, did not seem amused.

"I can assure you, Miss Granger," he said with a scowl, "that I have no desire to, as you so eloquently put it, 'shag you.' I simply desire you to carry a child for me so that I may have an heir."

"What exactly do you mean by 'carry'? Will you be using a donor egg?" she asked.

"I would consider that option, Miss Granger, but unfortunately the procedure used does not work well for donated eggs. To use a donated egg, the success rate for embryonic implantation is less than 25%, whereas the success rate increases to over 90% for the genetic mother's egg. As it stands, the procedure often takes multiple attempts even in the best of circumstances. As you can tell, using a donor egg would only advance the chances of the conception failing, thus increasing the number of attempts made before success is achieved. Using your own egg would make the process much quicker and easier on you as well."

"Oh," Hermione said with a startled expression on her face. "I assumed the procedure would practically guarantee success. So, let me get this straight. What you are saying is that the child would be mine as well, then?"

Snape's mouth went into a thin line as he narrowed his eyes at her. "No, Miss Granger. Let me be perfectly clear. The child is mine alone. You would simply be a surrogate for the child. You would carry the child while I assist you in becoming a Potions mistress. You will live across the corridor from me and take meals in the Great Hall with me. This will allow me to ensure you are taking care of my child, which will in turn make the apprenticeship easier, as you will be well-rested and eating properly. This will also allow you to be close to the lab that we will be using. After the child is born, your education will be over. This will leave me to raise the child myself. You will have no part in that. No one, including, and especially, the child, will know that you are the biological mother. There is a secrecy clause in the contract which prevents you from speaking of this to anyone."

Hermione gave him an incredulous look before responding. "And you think I would be all right with that? You think I could allow a child to grow in me, give birth and then just leave, pretending it had never happened? And that I would never be allowed to talk about it with anyone? I can't do that, Professor."

"You will, if you wish to become my apprentice," Professor Snape responded matter-of-factly. "These are the terms I have set. I will ensure you receive the best possible education while you are my apprentice. I am even willing to assist you in securing a job upon completion of your apprenticeship. In return, I ask that you do this one small thing for me."

"How can you guarantee that I will get a job? What kind of job are you talking about?" Hermione asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Well, I suppose that would depend on what type of position you were hoping to acquire. Do you have anything specific in mind?" he asked.

"Not really, no. I do know that I do not want to teach. I would like to do something challenging, something that would allow me to conduct research. I want a secure career, not one where I have to worry about losing my job. It would also need to pay well enough for me to live on, and not just a one room flat. I've considered working for the Ministry, but most of the jobs there are mundane. I'd get bored easily with them. Can you think of anything that might interest me?"

She looked up to meet his gaze and caught a gleam of what could only be triumph in his eyes. "Surprisingly, Miss Granger, I think I know exactly the career that may interest you. I also have the means to ensure you are hired."

"Really?" Hermione said immediately, unable to mask the excitement in her voice. Composing herself, she continued. "What would that be, Professor?"

Professor Snape leant back in his chair as he regarded her intensely before responding. "Miss Granger, are you familiar with the Department of Mysteries?" he said with a cocked eyebrow.

Hermione furrowed her brow at him. "Yes, vaguely." Images of the end of fifth year came to her mind.

"Do you know what is done there?"

"Well, they do all sorts of things, don't they? They keep all of the prophecies made. They analyze any strange artefacts and substances that the Ministry comes across. Am I right?"

"Correct, Miss Granger," Professor Snape began, taking on the lecturing tone Hermione remembered from his classroom. "They also do the most cutting edge research in many fields, including potions. The Unspeakables are behind many of the major developments in potion making. The wizard who created the Wolfsbane Potion even worked for them."

Snape smirked triumphantly at the dreamy-eyed look on Hermione's face. "Really? I didn't know that." Shaking her head, she continued. "If that is the case, it must be extremely difficult to get a job there, though. How can you be so sure they would hire me?"

"Yes, job openings there are rare. They only take on the most talented witches and wizards," Snape said casually. "One must prove they have a strong desire to learn, and an equally strong desire to work hard, to be offered a position there. A love for research and enjoying a challenge are also requirements, as is a sharp mind. I feel, Miss Granger, that you are not lacking in any of these respects. As such, you would be an excellent candidate for the job." Snape levelled his gaze at Hermione and she openly blushed. It was the closest thing to a gushing compliment he had ever offered her.

Before she could think of a response, he continued. "It also helps, however, that I happen to be related to the head of that particular department. Wilfred is one of the only members of my family that I have ever cared to remain in contact with, and so we have always remained on friendly terms. I have no doubt that, were I to vouch for you, he would not hesitate to offer you a position in his department."

"Wait a second," Hermione interrupted. "I thought you said you were the last of your line? If that's the case, then who is Wilfred?"

Snape sighed and explained. "If you must know, Miss Granger, Wilfred Braxton is my cousin on my mother's side. He is not a Snape. As such, he cannot carry on the Snape name."

"Oh. I see," Hermione responded. She bit her lip nervously as she thought about everything that had transpired in this meeting. This was definitely not how she had envisioned this conversation. She had been determined to be in control. That was definitely not the case. The idea that he was manipulating her suddenly came to her. She felt a surge of anger rise in the pit of her stomach at this thought. How dare he presume she could be so easily manipulated with false praise and a job offer! Well, she would show him. However, she knew that blowing up at him would be the quickest way to ensure she didn't get this apprenticeship, so she forced herself to be calm. She took a deep breath before speaking. "This does sound like a very tempting offer, Professor. I'm just not sure if I can live with some of the...requirements you mentioned earlier."

Snape leant forward in his chair as he levelled his obsidian eyes on her. "I know this may seem rather surreal to you, Miss Granger, but keep in mind that I am not asking this for arbitrary reasons. You would be doing me, and my family, a great service by ensuring the Snape line has an heir. In exchange, I am prepared to offer you an apprenticeship with me and an opportunity for your dream job. I will also provide you with suitable monetary compensation. I feel this is a fair trade."

"But, Professor," Hermione began carefully, "how will you take care of a child all on your own? It's not an easy task, you know. I may never have had one myself, but I've been around enough children to know that they require a lot of attention, and to be honest, you just don't seem the type to..."

"I do know all of this, Miss Granger," Snape interrupted. "I have no delusions about it being easy. I can assure you, though, I am quite capable of caring for a child," Snape responded acidly. Had Hermione not been a Gryffindor, the dangerous look in his eyes alone would have scared her off.

"But..." Hermione began, but was again cut off by Professor Snape.

"Miss Granger," he hissed. "I have answered your questions. I am quite capable of caring for a child. This matter is closed.

"Now," he continued in a somewhat lighter tone, "are you prepared to accept my offer now or will you need some time before signing?"

"I think I need some time to consider, sir."

"Very well. Once you have signed the contract, it will automatically return to me. I will expect the signed contract by the end of next week. You will need to arrive at the school by August 31 in order to be settled in before the students arrive. That will allow you a week to put your affairs in order. Is that acceptable?"

"Y-y-yes, sir," Hermione stammered. "Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to think about all of this. It's quite a lot to take in. I'm still not sure I can accept, but I promise to at least give it due consideration."

Professor Snape gave her a curt nod and stood. "Do you have any final questions before you leave, Miss Granger?"

"Well, yes, if you don't mind," she started carefully. "I was wondering, well...why me? Isn't there a service that can...find someone to do this for you? Why not choose someone you don't know?"

He gave a long-suffering sigh and sat back down in his chair. "Yes, Miss Granger, there is a service that finds surrogates for those who need one. I have attempted to use them, but have had no success in finding a...suitable candidate."

"What made you decide I was suitable?" she asked. She was intrigued by his statement. He had never even hinted at approving of her in any way. Had he changed his mind about her?

"I would very much like to have a child with whom I could hold intellectual discourse and to whom I could teach the love of learning and reading. Your powers are quite formidable, and there is no disguising the fact that you have a far above average intellect. Genetically, you would prove an asset to my child."

Hermione felt as if her chair had come out from underneath her. He wanted her for her good genetics? What a clinical approach to having a child. A part of her wanted to scream at him in frustration for being so cold. Another part couldn't help feeling flattered. She had finally got him to admit she was a worthy student. Twice, actually. Manipulation or not, she couldn't believe it.

Abruptly, Professor Snape stood up. He made his way over to the door. "Unless you have any further questions, Miss Granger, there are some things to which I must attend."

Hermione, recognising a dismissal when she saw one, got up and walked to the door, which was now being held open for her. "Good day, Professor Snape," she said as she reached the door.

"Good day, Miss Granger," he said as she exited.

As Hermione left, she couldn't keep the bewildered expression off her face. She could not fathom what had just happened. Professor Snape wanted her to carry a child for him.

His expert manipulation of the meeting was the most amazing aspect of her visit. He had somehow managed to convince her to consider the offer instead of adamantly saying no, which she knew she should do. He had even managed to keep her from exploding at him...-which she had been tempted to do a couple of times...-or feeling repulsed by his inconsiderate demands.

In fact, he actually made it almost seem...reasonable. Well, reasonable wasn't exactly the word to describe it. After all, she was definitely confused, but he was able to effectively argue his case. Damn Slytherin mind games, she thought bitterly.

She knew she couldn't do it. It would be too hard, but the promise of the position in the Department of Mysteries was very tempting. She also admitted that a small part of her was desperate to finally prove her worth to him. She could also understand his need for an heir, although she had never thought he was someone who would want children. If he were indeed the last of his line, it would be necessary for him to have a child to continue the line.

But why would he ask this from me, of all people? And why was he so determined that I not have anything to do with the child? Why do I have to leave immediately after the child is born and never tell anyone that I'm the mother? If it weren't for that, she thought, I might be able to give his offer serious consideration. However, I did promise him I would consider it.

She sighed in exasperation as she continued up the stairs to the entrance hall. She had sworn to herself that she would accept whatever terms he demanded, but this was just too much. Perhaps she would be able to make a more informed decision if she were able to talk to someone who knew Professor Snape better and could tell her of his abilities to care for a child. Professor McGonagall had known him since his days as a student. Perhaps she could offer some insight. As Hermione entered the entrance hall, she changed direction to follow the corridor she knew led to her former Head of House's office.

As she walked down the corridor, a possible answer for the situation occurred to her. If she agreed, she would certainly be spending a lot of time with Professor Snape. Much more time than a normal master and apprentice would, for sure. The doctor's visits and such would guarantee that.

Perhaps during that time she could change his mind about keeping the baby from her. If she could do that, she would have the apprenticeship, get the job she desired, and she wouldn't have to give up her baby. This could work, she thought. He may have been in control today, but not any more. It was definitely time to develop some Slytherin tactics of her own.

Author's Notes:

Ok, so what did you think? I agonised over this chapter quite a bit. I know it wasn't exactly enthralling, but this meeting had to happen. I also wanted to use the format of the meeting to get all the questions about details and stuff out of the way. Besides, he had to tell her everything. Hermione isn't the type to go into something without knowing all she can. The main struggle was to keep Hermione in character, while getting her to begin accepting the idea of the contract. I think I managed to pull it off...phew!

Also, as far as the creation of Wolfsbane, I am taking some liberty by making the person responsible an Unspeakable. This, of course, doesn't change what we know of the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone. Canon tells us that Nicholas Flamel did create the only known Sorcerer's Stone. It is possible, however, that the DoM discovered the stone, but I am actually assuming here that the stone is so old it would have been discovered long before the DoM was even created.

Finally, lots of cheers and applause to queenp and Molly S. for betaing this chapter for me. More cheers and applause for GinnyW and Southern_Witch_69 for taking a lowly newbie writer under their great wings. Ladies, you are all my muses. *bows gracefully*