An Offer She Couldn't Refuse

Special thanks to my mom, my sister, Lord_and_Lady_Peeves, and Jade_Orchid my beta for everything you lovely ladies (and gentleman) do to encourage me.

Disclaimer: I have never owned any of these characters from the Harry Potter series and I never will. They all belong to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling, however this story belongs to me, spewing forth from my very own sick and demented mind. I don't plan on receiving any sort of profit for theses stories. I just love the characters so much that I HAVE to write about them.

Please, no lawsuits.

Also, this is my FIRST story, so please, be nice and helpful. Enjoy! :)

____________________________________________________________

Chapter 11: An Offer She Couldn't Refuse

Ron glared at David Heart from across the Great Hall during breakfast the next day. He was furious. He was even more furious when David flashed him that winning smile and winked. The red head grimaced before turning his head away in disgust. That no good bloke! How dare he?! How could he even think he was in Hermione's league? She was way too good for him! More importantly, what could she actually SEE in him?! He was a dirty rotten scoundrel and as shallow as they came. Why would she do such a thing?

"Harry," Ron growled, as attacked his eggs with his fork in irritation. "I think we should stop Operation Fancy Pants."

"Oh, good," Harry smiled upon swallowing. "You've finally come to your senses and realized that was a stupid plan. Just let Hermione be and..."

"No, that's not what I mean. I think we need to change the name to Operation DIRTY Pants."

"Oh, God."

"Well, it makes sense, doesn't it? I mean Lord knows how many women he's been with, and for all we know..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Harry demanded. "I'm trying to eat here!"

"Sorry, mate, but I'm just stating the facts," Ron said nonchalantly.

"Speaking of Hermione, did you see her today?" Harry asked, shaking the images of Dirty Pants David out of his head.

"No, I didn't," Ron sighed. "I asked Ginny and she said Hermione was VERY tired and slept in a bit longer than usual. 'She must have had a long night,' Ginny said. Hmph, I bet she did, and with that no good bugger, too!"

"Ron, please. Try to calm yourself. Your face is as red as your hair. You can't even tell you have freckles now," Harry informed him.

"Good morning, all," Neville beamed as he sat down in front of his two friends.

"Morning, Neville," Harry greeted back. "All right?"

"Couldn't be better!"

"What's got you in such a great mood?" Ron asked bitterly.

"What's got you in such a bad one?" Neville questioned in puzzlement.

"Nothing," Harry sighed, rolling his eyes. "He had a bad night. So, why so chipper, Neville?"

"I'm just in a great mood," Neville grinned. "Professor Sprout and I made a break through in our research in Transfolias, I'm prepared for McGonagall's test today, I had a good night's rest, and Luna and I are going to spend this evening together. Nothing can spoil this day for me!"

He spoke too soon.

There was a swooshing sound as a rather large red envelope came bursting through the window. The whole hall became silent as they watched it fly at full speed towards the Gryffindor table, where it dropped with a heavy thud right on Neville's plate. His eyes grew wide with shock and worry as every eye in the Great Hall watched the Howler in anticipation. Slowly, with a shaky hand, Neville picked up the Howler.

"Better take that outside, mate," Ron frowned.

"Too late to take it out now," Neville whimpered as it began to smoke.

"Well hurry up and be done with it!" Harry whispered.

Quickly, Neville squeezed his eyes shut and ripped open the envelope, releasing the fury inside.

"NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" a rather familiar voice boomed, rattling the windows through out the Great Hall. "AS HONORABLE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPARATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL TRANSPORTATION, I HEARBY SUSPEND YOUR APPARATING LICENSE FOR APPARATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE!"

"WHAT?!" Neville shouted in disbelief, as he jumped to his feet. "An A.U.I.?!"

"Ooo!" the Great Hall gasped in shock. Everyone knew taking a teenage wizard or witch's Apparating license away was like a death sentence, quite similar to suspending a teenage Muggle's driver's license.

"THIS PAST WEEKEND AT LEAST FIVE CREDIBLE WITNESSES SAW YOU DRINKING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF FIREWHISKY AT THE THREE BROOMSTICKS!"

Neville's jaw dropped in shock. Firewhisky?! He'd never even touched the stuff! He couldn't even smell it without his eyes watering! Who could be accusing him of such wild and untrue charges?!

"THESE SAME WITNESSES THEN WATCHED AS YOU STUMBLED OUT OF THE PUB AND ATTEMPTED TO APPARATE!" the familiar voice continued. "UNFORTUNATELY, YOU ENDED UP APPARATING UPON AN OLD WITCH STANDING ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOU!"

"This is outrageous!" Neville shouted outraged.

"DESPITE THAT SHE WAS BADLY INJURED, WITNESSES THEN SAW YOU FLEEING FROM THE SCENE AND APPARATE FOR A SECOND TIME. YOU'RE LUCKY YOU DIDN'T GET SPLINCHED!"

"But I never..."

"FROM THIS MOMENT ON, YOUR APPARATING LICENSE IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED!"

Suddenly, Neville's Apparating license flew out of the back pocket of his trousers and made for the window.

"Nooo!" Neville wailed as he took off after it, his arms stretched out in front of him as the license was just out of his reach. Finally, the license flew out the window and towards the Ministry. Luckily for Neville, Hagrid was sitting right by the window and caught the distraught teen just before he went jumping out after the elusive license.

"IN ORDER TO RETAIN YOUR APPARATING LICENSE," the voice continued, as it flew over to shout in front of Neville who was hanging his head in shame and embarrassment, "YOU MUST PERFORM 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AS WELL AS ATTEND TWELVE W.A.A. MEETINGS WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS!"

"120 HOURS?!" Neville gasped. "AND I HAVE TO ATTEND WIZARD'S ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS?! THIS IS INSANE!"

"IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR CRIMES OR PUNISHMENT," the voice continued, "YOU MAY OWL HONORABLE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPARATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL TRANSPORTATION, LUCIUS MALFOY!"

Suddenly, that's when Neville recognized the voice. It was Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. At that moment, everything made sense. This was all Draco's doing. He was getting back at him for the booglack flower! Neville shot a glare over to the Slytherin table to see Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Millicent Bulstrode giggling like mad. Ah: the five witnesses!

Neville turned back to the letter just in time to hear Lucius say in his silkiest voice, "Have a nice day." The letter then ripped itself to shreds before bursting into flames, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake. The whole hall still remained silent as Neville stood staring at the ashes for what seemed to him like an eternity. His license was gone! Good Lord, it would be easier if he could have just died! Why his license? Why?!

Neville was suddenly snapped back into reality as Draco broke the silence, saying in a voice as silky as his father's, "Oh my, how embarrassing!"

"YOU BASTARD!" Neville spat as he whipped out his wand and charged at Draco.

"Whoa! Easy now, Neville!" Hagrid exclaimed, as he grabbed Neville by the back of his robes, while the Slytherins' roared with laughter.

"Mr. Longbottom, that's quite enough!" McGonagall scolded. "Do not take out your aggressions on Mr. Malfoy!"

"But he did this!" Neville objected, as Hagrid held him above the floor. "He told his father lies about..."

"If you think there's been an injustice done, then please owl Mr. Lucius Malfoy and protest your charges, but until then..."

"This is preposterous!" Neville spat. "Let go of me!"

Hagrid dropped Neville who straightened his robes and stormed down the aisle towards the doors of the Great Hall.

"Hey, Longbottom!" Draco called out to him. "As part of your community service, you can start carrying my books to class for me!"

The Slytherins burst into laughter for a second time as Neville growled and tore open the huge double doors before storming towards the Gryffindor Common room.

"Hi, Neville," Hermione beamed as he passed her down the hall.

Neville didn't even look in her direction as he continued to seethe with anger, making his way towards the Gryffindor Tower.

"Um... okay, bye!" Hermione called out to him. She'd better ask Ron and Harry what happened.

As she entered the Great Hall, Ron and Harry waved at her and she gave them a warm smile back, causing Ron's heart to melt. However, jealously reared its ugly head once more when David passed by Hermione as he made his way out of the hall.

"Morning, Hermione," David winked before biting into an apple he was holding.

"Good morning, David," Hermione gave a small smile back, knowing it was David's way of saying he was glad she made it back to Hogwarts.

"Did you hear that?!" Ron whispered to Harry nastily. "He said 'good morning' to her!"

"Uh-oh, not 'good morning!' " Harry said sarcastically. "Everyone knows that really means 'I'm going to snog your face off!' "

"Damn right it does!" Ron answered indignantly.

"But you told me 'good morning,' Ron. Does that mean we're going to snog, because if so, I have to say you're not my type... nor are you the right gender."

"Oh, stuff it, Harry! You know what I meant!"

"You're being ridiculous," Harry said before taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"Quiet, her she comes! Try to act normal!"

"I've been. You're the one that's been acting paranoid."

"Good morning, you two!" Hermione grinned before seating herself between them.

"Morning, 'Mione," the two boys said.

"So," Ron began, "how was your night, 'Mione? Get any sleep?"

"It was fine," she said nonchalantly, knowing Ron was trying to get her to cough up her escapades from last night. "I got plenty of rest, thank you."

That was a lie actually. She had been up most of the night pacing back and forth in her room, worrying about Severus, worrying about Hogsmeade, and worrying about Severus again. Finally, Crookshanks managed to convince her to go to bed by jumping onto her pillow, kneading and purring like mad. He knew she couldn't resist it when he looked so cute like that, much to his disgust. However, the reward was always sweet when she sat down at the edge of the bed and scratched him just right behind the ear. He knew it was relaxing for her too, which was indicated when she finally curled up under the covers and drifted to sleep while petting Crookshanks. Finally, now he could get some rest without her constant pacing to keep him awake!

"Oh, really?" Ron asked with a raised eyebrow. "I wouldn't have known by the way you slept in today."

"By the way, Harry," Hermione said, ignoring Ron's comment, "Thank you so much for letting me borrow your cloak and map. I put them back under your bed this morning before I came here."

"No problem, Hermione," Harry beamed, happy to know not only did he help out one of his best friends, but she was smart enough to snub Ron's constant prying.

Hermione then asked the boys about Neville, and they retold the tale of the Howler in full detail.

"Oh no!" Hermione frowned. "Poor Neville! I better go talk to him."

"He might want to be alone, Hermione," Harry pointed out.

"That's true" Ron added. "Why don't you finish your breakfast first, 'Mione, and then..."

"Oh, he's probably hungry!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'll make a plate for him and take it to his room!"

"That's a good idea," Harry commented. "But if he doesn't want to talk..."

"I know, Harry, I won't force him."

After she filled a plate for Neville, she waved good-bye to her friends and exited through the big double doors of the Great Hall, however, her first stop was not to the Gryffindor Common room, but to the hospital wing. She wanted to see Professor Snape very badly! She stopped by earlier on her way to the Great Hall, but Madame Pomfrey was by the door. She didn't want to seem like she KNEW Severus was there, so she decided to try to stop by again after breakfast.

Hermione wondered if Snape had eaten breakfast yet. She was sure Madame Pomfrey had already fed him, but in case she hadn't, Hermione was willing to give up her plate to him. She could always go back to get Neville more food. If anyone asked, she'd say she just tripped and accidentally dropped the food.

She thought a lot about the sweet and stolen moments they had shared before and after the Dark Revel. Did he feel something for her? Did he ponder her words when she said, "I'd do anything for you, Severus." She had meant every word of it. She remember his scent and his hard body against hers as she hugged him tightly in his office and then again when they hid under the cloak. He hadn't recoiled from her or tried to stop her. Could he love her back? She sighed to herself. Of course he couldn't. She was his student and that's all he'd ever see in her. He only saw her as a silly girl who was scared last night.

Nothing more.

Hermione frowned as she sighed to herself, "There's nothing worse than unrequited love."

Hermione found herself in front of the doors to the hospital wing. She felt nervous again, the same way she felt last night when she lingered in front of Snape's door. What was she going to say? What was HE going to say? Hermione looked down at the plate. She decided to shrink it down to the size of a coin and hide it in her hand. She didn't want to look stupid if he already had breakfast. It would be rather awkward to be holding the plate. Finally, Hermione took a deep breath and summoned her Gryffindor courage before slowly opening the door and peeking her head inside.

Severus was up. He'd been up since early that morning. He'd been thinking, mostly about Hermione. She had demonstrated her excellent skill as well as talent last night. She kept a cool level head during the ordeal and knew exactly what properties each plant possessed in order to heal his aliments. That was most impressive, especially for a student. Even Poppy was impressed by the concoction Hermione had made it to counter the effects of the Cruciatus curse. She definitely had a gift. Talent like that shouldn't go to waste. Snape had begun to pace the floor in front of his bed, trying to think of the best way to maximize his young lioness's potential.

At that moment, Snape was standing in front of the window in his teaching robes, gazing out onto the lake while drinking his morning cup of coffee. He heard the door open, but didn't turn around. He was hoping it was Albus coming to tell him about the Order's plans for Hogsmeade. He looked into the window to see whose reflection was lingering in the doorway. He took in a breath slowly as he saw his savior Hermione peeking out from behind the door. Had she come in to see him? Maybe she had some business with Poppy. What if she was hurt? Oh no! If that were the case, he'd hex whoever dared to lay a finger on her to hell and back!

"Professor Snape?" he heard Hermione ask softly.

Oh, her voice was like that of an angel's!

"Miss Granger," he said in a strong yet gentle voice. "To what do I owe the displeasure of seeing you so early in the morning?"

Hermione's heart sank upon hearing his words. Really, what was she expecting though? It wasn't like he was going to drop to the floor and kiss her feet, thanking her for being there for him when he needed it the most. Hermione suddenly felt very silly for even daring to show her face in the hospital wing. She better make this a quick visit. It was obvious the Potions Master wasn't a morning person. Come to think of it, he wasn't an afternoon person either... or an evening person, at that!

Snape kept his back to Hermione, not daring to turn around and face her. He inwardly cringed at the words that came flying out of his mouth. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, especially if she did come in to see him. However, he felt it necessary to continue being snarky with her. He couldn't afford to let anyone know about his true feelings, especially her. Merlin's beard, she was STILL HIS STUDENT! He couldn't treat her any differently, despite that she was the light in his life. He had to be strong. He had to be hard. He had to be... a complete jackass.

Severus set his coffee on the windowsill, and allowed himself to turn around and face Hermione. She stared back with hurt in her eyes, causing him to clench his fists.

"I asked you a question, Miss Granger," Snape continued in a condescending voice. "Normally the polite thing to do is answer, however I realize that you ARE a Gryffindor, so class is foreign to you."

Oh, he may have laid it on a bit thick! Great, now she REALLY hated him! Nice one, Severus! You really are a jackass!

Despite Snape's snippy attitude, Hermione took it all in stride, steeling herself against his harsh words. She wasn't going to let it get to her, nor was she going to back down from his obvious challenge. If a challenge is what he wanted, then a challenge was what he was getting. However, his words stung like a bucket of ice water on her bare skin.

"Well, Professor," she said, hoping her voice did not waver, "I came in to see how you were this morning."

"Very well, thank you, Miss Granger. Well enough to be able to teach classes, so I'm afraid that a substitute for Potions today is out of the question, much to your dismay. Is that all?"

"Yes, I suppose so," Hermione said softly. "I'll be going then."

She turned around and was about to take her leave until she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her breath to hitch.

"Wait, Miss Granger," Snape said in his silkiest voice, "There's a matter I need to discuss with you."

"Yes, sir?" she asked turned around to meet his black eyes.

"You showed... great courage and forte last night. Not everyone would know that mixture you created... I have been thinking about your... abilities, Miss Granger, and I believe you are capable of more than just fiddling with shrinking potions."

Hermione was in complete and utter shock. Had Professor Snape had just given her a compliment?! If he weren't standing in front of the window, she'd look out of it to see if there were any pigs flying by.

"Sir," Hermione gulped, "what are you trying to say?"

"I'm trying to offer you the position of Potions Apprentice," Snape smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hermione couldn't help it when her jaw dropped open in shock. What?! No way! Potions Apprentice?! That was something she had always dreamed about. She NEVER thought he'd ever offer her that! She always figured Draco Malfoy, his precious Slytherin, would get the position! She'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity.

"Of course, unless you don't want the position," Snape taunted, "I can always offer it to Malfoy; however, I doubt he'd appreciate it as much as you."

"Oh, no, sir!" Hermione said quickly. "I'd LOVE the position more than anything!"

"More than anything, hmm? We'll see what you have to say AFTER the first meeting. I must warn you, Miss Granger, it is very complicated, and the tasks are difficult."

"I understand, Professor! I won't let you down!"

"Let us hope not," Snape said snidely, "You are expected to arrive in my classroom no later than seven o'clock as usual."

"Oh, thank you, Professor Snape!" Hermione grinned.

"You are dismissed."

"Oh thank you again, sir! I promise you won't regret this!" Hermione beamed as she practically skipped to the door. "See you later!"

"Indeed," Snape said shortly, as she opened the door.

Suddenly, she stopped and turned around, still smiling.

"Oh, what is it now?" Snape huffed in bogus frustration.

"Riddle," she said cheerfully, "That's the answer to your riddle."

"So it is," Snape smirked. "So are we continuing the game, then?"

"Let me put it this way," Hermione smiled before she gave Snape a riddle of her own. "I can transport you to a world you've never visited without having you leave your seat. I can tell you truths or lies, which ever you prefer. I can introduce you to people and creatures from the past, present, and future that are forever immortalized through me."

Snape stroked his chin and arched his eyebrows at the young woman who beamed at him like a sun goddess. Oh, she was so beautiful when she smiled like that!

"Ah, very clever, Miss Granger," Snape said smoothly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sir. I'll see you at seven o'clock SHARP!" Hermione waved before she closed the door behind her.

Snape tried to keep a straight face after she left but the very thought of her brought a small smile across his lips. He couldn't help the emotion she elicited it him. This was certainly going to be an interesting learning experience for both his little lioness and himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Potion's Apprentice?!" Ginny exclaimed as she, Hermione, Harry, and Ron sat around the fireplace in their common room. "Oh Hermione, I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Gin," Hermione smiled. "I couldn't believe my ears when he asked me. This is going to be a wonderful learning experience!"

"If you say so," Ron sighed. "Although I can hardly see ANY experience with Snape would be wonderful."

"Ron, how many times..."

"PROFESSOR Snape! Blimey, Hermione, don't get your knickers in a bunch!"

"I'm proud of you too, Hermione," Harry smiled quickly in an attempt to prevent Hermione and Ron from arguing.

"Thanks, Harry. At least TWO people are happy for me," Hermione said curtly while she glared at Ron.

"Oh, I'm happy for you, 'Mione," Ron said sincerely. "I'm just unhappy that you have to spend it with Sn... Professor Snape. He's such an overgrown evil black bat who..."

"Who happens to be the best Potions Master in all of Britain and one of the few left in the entire wizarding world!"

"And the reason of that is because Potions is SOOO boring!"

"Well, only to those you don't have the mind set for it!"

"Well excuse me if I'm not a nasty ol' mean bugger, which seems to be of the proper 'mind-set' to be a Potions Master!"

"Ron Weasley!" Hermione exclaimed jumping got her feet, "I will NOT let you sit here and insult Professor Snape OR myself any further!"

"I wasn't insulting you!" Ron said defensively, also jumping to his feet.

"Yes, you were! I've given serious thought to becoming a Potions Mistress someday and the fact that YOU..."

"A POTION'S MISTRESS?! Are you serious?! Why would ANYONE in his or her right mind..."

"Hey you two, knock it off!" Ginny demanded, stepping in between them. "This is ridiculous! You two need to stop screaming like banshees at one another! Ron, you need to grow up! It doesn't matter if she's working with Professor Snape or Professor Dumbledore, you should be happy that all her hard work has paid off, and she has a position that NO student has ever had before!"

Ron stopped scowling as his sister's words penetrated him. He looked at Hermione who also had stopped glowering and looked very hurt. It felt like a knife through his heart to see her like that. He felt so foolish as he tore his gaze from her and looked down at his feet. In truth, he was jealous. Ron was more upset that she was going to be spending more time with Snape and less time with him. It was bad enough she was sneaking of with David "Heartbreaker," but now she was choosing FREELY to spend every night with the greasy git! It wasn't fair! He just wanted her to himself! When was this torture going to end?!

Ron sighed and looked up at his friend, his one love, his Hermione. She was so beautiful, so sweet. Why in all her infinite wisdom did she not see why that Heart fellow was just a user?! He didn't deserve her. How Ron wished at that moment he could have told Hermione he knew about her outing with the "Hufflepuff Hustler," but he remained tight-lipped. He had to continue the charade of not knowing. Damn that libertine for taking his Hermione away from him! Damn Snape for doing the same!

"Hermione, I'm sorry, I really am," Ron said sincerely, as he walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't mean anything by it. I really am happy for you. I'm just upset that you'll be spending less time with us, that's all. We'll miss you... I'll miss you."

"Oh, Ron," Hermione smiled, "I'll still spend time with you and Harry and Ginny. It's just that this is an opportunity of a lifetime. I can't pass this up. I know you don't like Potions, but understand that this is something I'm interested in. Taking this position is the best thing for me. If I enjoy myself, I know that a career in Potions could very well be in my future. If I end up hating it, then maybe Potions isn't my destiny, and I'll look into something else. Do you understand?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I'd never want to make you unhappy. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"Of course," Hermione grinned.

They smiled before giving each other a great big hug. Ron was hoping they could kiss and make up, but he'd take a hug from Hermione any day.

"Aww, that's better," Ginny grinned. "I'm so glad!"

Ginny, in her excitement, threw her arms around Harry in a warm embrace (not that she hadn't planned it ahead of time). Harry didn't mind one bit to have HIS secret crush hold him tightly. He hugged her back with a silly grin on his face. Sometimes being Harry Potter had its benefits.

"I better go now so I'm not late," Hermione said as she pulled away from Ron. "I'll see you all when I come back."

"Okay," Ron smiled, "We'll be waiting."

Suddenly, the common room door opened and in strode a very angry Neville Longbottom. He was red in the face and his hands were balled into tight fists at his sides.

"Neville!" Hermione exclaimed, "What happened? You look..."

"Upset?" Neville asked, finishing Hermione's sentence. "Well I think you would be too if Lucius Malfoy took away your Apparating License and forced you to attend WAA meetings and 120 hours of community service for something you DIDN'T do!"

"So I take it that the meeting didn't go well?" Harry asked with Ginny at his side.

"That's an understatement! Even with Professor Dumbledore with me, Malfoy wouldn't budge! However, he DID mention that I could perform 'civil acts of duty' towards my fellow classmates and THAT would count towards my community service!"

"In other words, you really do get to carry Draco Malfoy's text books," Ginny sighed.

"Looks like it! Oh, he better watch his back because..."

"Neville," Hermione began to plead, "please don't..."

"I know what you're going to say, Hermione, but I'm tired of being the butt of every joke. I'm proving to Malfoy that I'm NOT a disgraceful wizard and he can't push me around anymore."

"He's got a point," Ron nodded, knowing what it was like to be a laughing stock. "Understand this is personal, Hermione."

"Well I still think revenge is silly, even if it is Malfoy. In the end, you only end up hurting yourself. Oh my, I really have to go now! Bye you guys! Take care!"

The other Gryffindors smiled and waved good-bye as she exited the common room, praying that her first night as Potions Apprentice would be a pleasant one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione arrived to the dungeons at seven o'clock on the dot. Snape was already there, getting a few things started before they began. When he saw her, she took his breath away, as she always did when she entered the room. He could see the anticipation and the excitement in her deep amber eyes. She had been waiting all day for this moment, and now she was ready.

"What are we going to start out with tonight, Professor?" Hermione asked with a huge grin. "Will we be doing the same experiments that we performed over the summer?"

"Actually, no," Snape said shortly. "Tonight, as we will do every night from here on in, we will be attempting to create a potion that will resist the effects of the Imperius and Cruciatus Curses."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. By the hem of Merlin's robes, was he seriously going to try and tackle the Unforgivables?! Wizards had been doing that for centuries! It was something that was attempted near the end of a Potion Master's career, because no one could ever possibly find a solution to them! Even if they spent their whole life on that cause, no one had ever come even close to discovering a cure for ONE of the Unforgivables! Finding a cure for TWO of them was just unbelievable!

"I-I-I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not quite sure I heard you correctly," Hermione sputtered.

"If you heard me say that we'll be attempting to create a potion that will resist the effects of both the Imperius and Cruciatus Curses, then you in fact heard me correctly," Snape said in a silky voice.

"BOTH?! But that's impossible! They are two totally different curses! They..."

"Are not that different from one another. Now, if you're quite done ranting and raving about it, would you like to see what I've found so far?"

Hermione shut her mouth immediately. He was mad! However, she had to see where he was getting this preposterous idea about finding a curse for TWO Unforgivables.

"Yes, I'd like to see it very much," Hermione stated airily.

Snape smirked at her, taking her tone as a challenge. He could hardly wait to wipe that silly little smirk from her face when she saw his research.

"Right this way, Miss Granger," he said smoothly, gesturing for her to follow him.

Hermione was led to Snape's private lab adjacent to the classroom. It was a good-sized room with plenty of tables full of equipment and every potion ingredient one could think of stocked neatly on shelves or floating in jars.

"After you, Miss Granger," Snape smirked as he held open the door for her.

"Thank you, sir," she said before stepping into the room and taking a seat in a chair next to his desk.

Snape closed the door and took a seat at his desk before speaking with Hermione.

"Now, Miss Granger," Snape began, "It seems you have little faith in my... experiment. However, I hope to rectify that before the night is through. Despite the terrible and incompetent Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors you've had over the years, I'm sure I don't have to explain the effects of the Imperius and Cruciatus to you."

Hermione shook her head before Snape continued.

"Good, that's a start. As you and everyone else in the wizarding world know, the Cruciatus Curse affects the nervous system, which is why the pain is so... amplified to the victim. Of course, this was also proved in the late 17th century in China through Professor Ming's research. The Imperius Curse has always been thought to have ONLY controlled the mind of the user. However, recent discoveries have proven otherwise."

Snape opened the top right drawer of his desk and pulled out a brand new edition of Scientific Wizard. He flipped through the journal and found the page he desired before handing it to Hermione.

"That is a paper by Professor Silverman of the United States, who recently died after publishing his article. For the past thirteen years he conducted experiments regarding the Imperius Curse. He discovered that it's not just about mind control, but about NERVOUS control as well."

"So both curses affect the central nervous system," Hermione whispered.

"Exactly, Miss Granger. If one were to find a way to have the nervous system reject such impulses from the curse..."

"Then the spells would be ineffective."

"Precisely, and what better to ensnare the senses than a potion?"

Hermione stared at the article a few moments longer before she looked wide-eyed at Professor Snape, who was sitting back in his chair with a smirk on his face.

"You know," Hermione whispered, "This just... might... work!"

"I know it can," Snape answered, "but it will NOT be an easy task. Are you sure you're ready for something of this magnitude, Miss Granger?"

Hermione grinned, her eyes flashing in excitement before answering: "I was born ready."

For the next hour and a half, the two of them discussed (and at times argued) potential ingredients, cauldrons, and techniques for brewing this "super potion." They finally agreed to try the concoction Hermione used in the woods with some added zinberger and raven feathers in a copper level four cauldron. As Hermione worked, she studied Severus's face every now and then. She watched his hands move smoothly and gracefully over the ingredients. He really was a natural at this, his hands proving that potion making could be considered an art. She almost felt like sighing in contentment as she watched him take notes and perform his research, just like she had admired him over the summer. She would always look forward to it at Grimmauld Place. She was happy they were working together again.

As Hermione watched him record the amount of arnica he had weighed out, she noticed him grimace a little in pain. He still must have been sore. Cruciatus scars took a long time to heal, and victims could linger in pain. She cursed Voldemort for hurting Severus. Then, she began to wonder... what had made him go to the Dark Lord, exactly? What about Voldemort had appealed to him, and what had caused him to turn his back to the Death Eaters? Her heart ached for him at that moment, in more ways than one. She wished she could make it all go away so he would be safe... so he would be hers.

Suddenly, Snape looked up from his scroll and met her eyes, causing Hermione to stifle a gasp before bringing her full attention back to the hypercum she was grinding. Oh Lord, he saw her staring at him! How embarrassing!

Snape couldn't help but smirk at Hermione, as the blood slowly flushed her cheeks. He had caught her staring at him. Silly girl. What was she thinking about while she looked at him that would cause her to scarlet like that? He decided he'd have some fun (at her expense of course) and ask.

"Miss Granger," he said in his smooth baritone voice, "what exactly about me did you find interesting enough to stop your work and stare at me?"

'Oh crap!' Hermione thought. 'He noticed! Crap-for-crap!'

"Well, I was thinking," Hermione said quickly, trying not to lie, but at the same time, trying not to be totally honest.

"About what?" Snape pressed.

Oh, horrible man! He wasn't going to let it go, was he?! Well, she really put herself between a rock and a hard place.

"About... I don't remember."

"Miss Granger, you are the worst liar I know."

"Oh, NOW I remember! I was wondering when you'd stop with these silly formalities and call me by my FIRST name," Hermione lied: and rather well, thank you very much.

"Call you by your given name?" Snape asked dangerously with a raised eyebrow. "In case you've forgotten, you are the student and I am the teacher. There needs to be a certain amount of professionalism."

"You can be as professional as you'd like, sir, but we worked together all summer, and it drove me insane when you called me 'Miss Granger.' I'd understand if we were in the Great Hall or in the classroom, but there will never be anyone here in this lab but us. Since that is the case, I'd be more comfortable if you called me 'Hermione.' It's not that difficult to say. If Victor Krum can say it, I think you can say it too."

Snape smirked at that last comment. He couldn't imagine butchering Her-my-o-nee's name like Krum did.

"And I suppose you'll want me to permit you to call me by my given name as well," Snape drawled.

"Not at all, sir. I'll continue to call you by your title, Professor Snape, but I prefer it if you'd please call me 'Hermione' instead of 'Miss Granger' when we're alone together."

Those last few words struck both the Professor and student in an unusual way.

When we're alone together.

It felt both exciting and mischievous at the same time, like forbidden fruit hanging from a low branch. Hermione flushed and looked away, expecting the Potions Master to blast her any minute for saying something so ridiculous.

However, he didn't.

Snape was surprised by Hermione's outburst, but he didn't show it. She, the little lioness, wanted him to call her by her given name? How odd: and yet, how charming. The corners of his mouth twitched as he suppressed a grin when her face flushed and she turned away. How terribly amusing it was to see her panic! Really, she had nothing to be ashamed of. It was a reasonable request.

"All right," Snape sighed, "I'll honor your request and call you by your given name... Hermione."

He gave her a sly look from the side and saw her grinning from ear to ear out of the corner of his eye.

"Thank you, sir," Hermione replied before returning to her work.

They were silent for a moment until Snape said in a strong voice, "Severus."

"I'm sorry, sir?"

"My name is Severus," he said turning to face her. "You may call me by my given name as long as we are, as you put it, alone together. If you dare utter my name outside of this room, you'll be begging me to have you expelled. Is that clear, Hermione?"

"Yes," she said in awe, both surprised and elated that Professor Snape (no, Severus) would allow her to call him by his first name. "Thank you very much... Severus."

Snape nodded and returned to his work, and Hermione did the same. For the next hour, they worked on their brews, talking only about potions, and using each other's first names. Finally, at a quarter past nine, they decided to clean up and call it a night.

"I still think we should add some holly into the brew," Hermione insisted after putting the last item away.

"No!" Snape snapped. "No bloody holly!"

"Severus, really! You're being unreasonable!"

"Hermione, I don't care WHAT you think the holly will add or balance out in the potion. Holly can make the concoction too unstable!"

"Unstable?! Not in the least! If you had your way and added any more belladonna, THEN the mixture would be unstable! Why you can't see the calming properties holly has is really a mystery to me."

"Speaking of mysteries, I have something that might interest you," Snape said with a sly smile.

"Really?" Hermione asked with an uncertain look. "Well, what is it?"

"It is several things, but the far more important one is that it is the answer to your riddle."

Snape snapped his fingers and a drawer popped open under one of the lab tables. Her walked over, pulled out the object in question and strode back over to Hermione.

"Here, Hermione," Snape said with that same sly smile, as he held the object out to her. "I believe this is the correct answer to your riddle."

____________________________________________________________

Yea, there's chapter 11! I hope you all liked it!

Again, sorry it took so long to update! Midterms suck. Sorry that I left you hanging too, but how else would I hook you into reading the next chapter? ;)

5 points to your house if you knew the answer to the previous riddle, which was "riddle." You can get 5 more if you figure out the latest riddle!

The Alan Rickman quote in chapter 10 was "I understand that this isn't personal because you're not a person," said by Dave Friedman in Judas Kiss. There's another quote in this chapter. Happy hunting!

Thanks for all the support! You all are the best! You rock my world!

"We fight against those who control the darkness."

- DADA Mistress