When You Look at Me

Chapter Three

Hermione stared at the woman, her mouth falling open in shock.

"How is he alive?"

"I am not sure. As I am sure you know, he is rather guarded when it comes to his personal life."

"I just...  I can't believe it..." mumbled Hermione.

"I know."

"I watched him as he took his final breath...

"I feel ashamed. I let his name, his reputation... become tarnished by my fellow peers and students. I feel that I owe him this opportunity... as headmaster... as Albus saw him..." McGonagall whispered. Hermione could hear the pain in her voice as she spoke. She then stopped. The tears she had been holding back were now falling down her cheeks.

"We did not know Professor. We all didn't know."

Hermione could not bear to watch her in tears. She felt it was best to change the subject back to her apprenticeship. "Professor... I must ask... When will you want me to return to Hogwarts again?"

"All the professors will be expected to return by the thirtieth." She said, in her usual tone, staring again at her. "You know, Severus thought you would not have accepted the apprenticeship."

"Why not?" Said Hermione. She was surprised. He had to have known Hermione was capable of teaching. "Why would he think I would not accept?"

"Because he thought you would not leave your job at the ministry, and give up the chance to work alongside Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter."

"Teaching is what I want to do, professor." Hermione replied, as she looked at her former professor, confidence exuding her.

"Very well. I will talk everything over with Severus. I am very happy you accepted." Said McGonagall, smiling at the young witch in front of her.

"I am too, professor." Said Hermione as she smiled back.

Hermione truly was excited. She could not wait to share her knowledge of transfiguration, one of her most favorite subjects in school, with her students. She was also excited to work with her former professors.

After exchanging some pleasantries over a strong cup of tea with professor McGonagall, Hermione flooed back to the burrow.

Molly Weasley gave Hermione a huge hug upon her return. "How did it go, dearie?"

"It could not have gone better. She offered me an apprenticeship under her. As transfiguration professor."

"My dear, I am so happy for you! I knew you would make a wonderful teacher!" Said Mrs. Weasley. She was genuinely happy for Hermione, perhaps maybe even more excited than Hermione was at the news.

That evening, Severus was in the headmaster's office, a glass of red wine sitting on his desk. He was going through the school's budget as he awaited the results of Minerva's meeting with Hermione Granger. Severus had been waiting for her news for some time now.

He glanced at the clock. It was six nineteen. Minerva was nineteen minutes late.

At last, she arrived at six twenty-two, twenty-two minutes late. Fawkes began squawking in alarm until he recognized it was her entering his office. "It seems you have finally decided to keep your appointment with the headmaster this evening." Said Severus as he pulled his wand from his robes and nonverbally slammed the door shut behind her.

"Severus, there is a reason..."

"Go on."

"I had to prepare for my new apprentice."