When You Look at Me

Chapter Four

Hermione was escorted to her chambers by a still fuming Filch, who was waiting for her outside Headmaster Snape's office. Filch continued to mutter to himself, fuming over Harry and Hermione's abrupt arrival at the school, until they arrived at her chamber. It was small, but still a warm and comfortable space. A fireplace had already been lit, making the small chamber warm and cozy after being out in the cold. This was to be her temporary chambers; Once she finished her apprenticeship, and professor McGonagall retired, she would move into her chambers.

She began to unpack her things, thinking over the encounter she had just had with Snape. Snape seemed to be more livid with Harry than he was with her, and he was no longer the professor she had in school that would chastise everyone. He was kind and courteous to her, a side of him she was not accustomed to. She hoped she would see this side of Snape more as an apprentice. After she finished unpacking, she decided to turn in early.

The next morning, she dressed in her teaching attire; She had a faculty meeting to attend with the other professors. She arrived at breakfast around eight. Professor McGonagall had an open seat next to her, and motioned for Hermione to sit in it.

"ood mornin, 'Ermione!" Hagrid boomed from Hermione's right, at the end of the table.

"Good morning Hagrid!" Said Hermione, smiling warmly at him.

Just as Hagrid was to respond, Professor Flitwick arrived at the table. He sat in his usual seat next to Hagrid.

Hagrid sent a grin down Hermione's way, and picking up his fork, lightly jabbed its prongs on Flitwick's knuckle.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Screamed the little dwarf.

"Filius, I beg you to silence your wicked mouth. What have I told you about the use of profanity?" A familiar voice boomed over the table.

"But he almost stabbed...

"Quiet." Said Severus. He had just arrived to breakfast, and was now staring down the charms professor, who was now cowering in his seat. Severus then sat at the headmaster's chair at the center of the table without another word to him. Hermione could not help but snigger as Flitwick turned towards Hagrid, with a nasty look on his face, called him a derogatory name, and turned back to his plate in front of him. Hagrid winked at Hermione.

"Are you looking forward to teaching, Miss Granger?" Asked Professor Sprout, who sat two seats to the left of Severus.

"I am. I'm looking forward to it."

"You are very bright. I was thrilled to hear you would be joining us this year. You will make a fine teacher, Miss Granger." Said Professor Sprout, who received a glance from Severus.

"She is also a very brave young lady." Said Professor McGonagall, smiling in Professor Sprout's direction. "And I agree, she will make an excellent teacher."

"Yew will be great, 'Ermione!" Hagrid bellowed over the table, which shook as he shifted in his seat.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

The rest of breakfast was filled with polite conversations with her former professors. Professor Slughorn, who came late for breakfast, asked Hermione why she was not taking an apprenticeship with him, and continued to compliment her on how wonderful a student she was, as if Hermione had considered learning under him. As adequate as Hermione was with potions, she had more of a passion for transfiguration. Slughorn began to complain about how he wished he had an apprentice because he too wanted to retire. Severus stood motionless as he spoke. "If Albus had not have died, perhaps our dear boy Severus would have taken over again, and I could have retired." Said the old potions master, who grinned in Severus' direction. Severus gave Slughorn a sideway glance; He looked embarrassed and bothered by what Slughorn had said.