Headmaster's Secret

The First Day

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Severus Snape rubbed his temples as his sighed deeply. The one person he didn't want to return to Hogwarts is returning. Worse than that, Minerva insisted she become Head Girl. There was a very good reason why he didn't want her to return. Out of every single student he's taught over the years, she was the one that was bold enough to ask how he survived. Not that he'd tell her, but he didn't want her to constantly ask him. 

In truth, he could barely remember how he survived. He remembered a bright golden light and feeling a warm soothing feeling go through him, then waking up at the shrieking shack several hours later. He barely had enough energy to disaparate back to his house where he summoned a house elf from the kitchens of Hogwarts to take care of him. After he regained strength enough, he told the elf to get Minerva and bring her to him. 

He tried to return to simply teaching, however, Minerva wouldn't take the job as Headmistress. The reason, she wanted him to have a decent chance to make a good headmaster that wasn't ruled by Voldemort. While he appreciated the jester, he simply wanted to go back to simpler times. However, he decided that he'd stay headmaster for her. She was getting older and the war took more out of her than he ever thought. 

"Severus, why are you so tense?" Dumbledore's painting asked. 

He turned to look up at the old man. "You know why, Albus," he responded harshly. 

The girl was coming today early to discuss a new program she's thought of. He really didn't want to see her. He hoped as soon as he knew that she was returning that he wouldn't see her much, however, Slughorn was retiring again, meaning he had to return to his potions position. Narcissa agreed to become the new DADA professor, so they weren't missing anyone else. 

"Why does it bother you that she's coming here?" Albus asked with a good humored chuckle. 

Severus rolled his eyes and tried to focus on reading the letter that Kingsley, the new Minister of Magic, sent earlier that day. He was talking about her as well as the other two of the trio. Harry and Ron had been accepted into the Auror program, which surprised him. She had come back to get her education finished, but he suspected she didn't know what to do after Hogwarts. 

"She's an annoying know it all," he muttered to himself in response. 

Albus was about to retort when someone knocked on the door. "Enter," Severus called in his old teacher voice. 

She was here. Already in her school robes for this evening, books in her bag beside her. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun, and she looked towards Severus with a determined glare. He raised an eyebrow for a moment, but said nothing as she strolled towards him to sit in the chair opposite his. "Professor Snape," she greeted professionally. 

"Miss Granger," he returned the same tone. 

She reached into her bag to pull out a muggle notebook and her quill. "Now, I've thought a lot about school and teachers over the summer. Teachers are overworked and stressed out as well as the students. Especially around Exam time at the end of the year. Now, I've thought about it long and hard. I propose that 7th years that have an E or O in certain subjects should take turns to teach one class for lower students a week. In return, the students get a grade in 'teaching', and the teachers get an extra day off. The first month should be a trial period with each teacher keeping an eye on the class until they feel the student in charge has control. Each lesson and grade students get from that 7th year will be put in a separate pile for me and you to go through to see if the program is working."

Students teaching students? Completely mad idea. "What is the point of this program?" He asked, humoring her. He had no reason to agree to such a program, but he admitted he was a little curious of her thoughts. 

"Well, the 7th years will get a separate grade for 'teaching', which goes into their grade for that subject. Younger students get a chance to see the 7th years enjoying ordering the younger ones around, which should reduce the bullying of younger students. Teachers, after a month, or however long they feel the students can control their class, can take a full day break to work on the end of year exams for the younger students or completely have an extra day off. Furthermore, the students who agree to teach will be excused from the exams at the end of the year for that class if their students did well throughout the year." Hermione turned the page of her notebook and looked over her plan as she talked. 

Severus had to admit, the program sounded like a great chance for everyone to grow. "If I agree, what 7th years are you thinking should start teaching?" He asked. 

Hermione looked over her plans again. "Uh, I see that Draco, Neville, Luna, Ginny, and Me have come back for a repeat 7th year, so I suggest all of us, then for the other classes, teachers choose a student they feel will succeed." 

She studied her plan more carefully, "I feel that Neville should do Herbology, Luna would do Charms, Ginny would do Defense Against the Dark Artys, Draco would do Transfiguration, and I would do Potions." 

At the mention of Hermione doing potions, Severus' heart started racing. He'd have to spend more time with her than he ever thought. He didn't want to do that. However, out of all the students, she was the best choice. He snarled in annoyance. "Fine, we will try it for one year, however if everyone doesn't start improving by end of term, we go back to normal." 

Hermione nodded seriously. "Of course, sir. I also propose that we meet at the end of the week each week to discuss the students progress."

He held back a groan of disgust. "Obviously," he stated simply. 

That evening when the students were sorted and fed, Severus stood up and got everyone's attention. "Now, there are a few notices I wish to bring up. Firstly, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Second, we have a few students from 7th year last year that has come back to redo their 7th year. Thirdly, certain 7th year students will be chosen to help out in a new program that Head Girl Granger has come up with. Certain students will be teaching at least one class of a chosen subject a week to help out the teachers. They will be graded on the teaching and giving grades to the younger students. More information will be given to the chosen students at the end of their first classes in the coming week. That is all," Severus stated, dismissing the students. 

Hermione stood up to show the first years where the common room was. She had looked up at the Headmasters chair. He was sitting in his chair looked straight at her. A chill ran down Hermione's spine. She turned to lead the small group out of the great hall to the Griffydor Tower. "The password is Puffskien," she stated at the portrait of the fat lady. 

When she said the password, the fat lady did a sweet curtsy and swung forward. She lead the first years through. "This is the common room. Girls are up to your right, boys are up on your left. All your belongings have already been brought up." She said good night to the first years and went up to her dormitory. Ginny was already there getting herself ready for bed. 

"Hey, what is so special about the program?" Ginny asked, getting into bed. 

Hermione started changing into her pajamas as she explained. "Its to have the 7th years be a little more responsible, the teachers have a small break, and end of year exams be a little more easier for everyone. If the student teacher's class does a good job, then that student wont have to take the end of year exam for that subject. Also, if the year goes well, Kingsley has agreed to let that subject be excused from the NEWTS as well."

Ginny nodded thoughtfully. "I suspect you volunteered me for a subject," she stated lightly. 

"Yes, Defense Against the Dark Arts if that's okay," she said, getting into bed. 

Ginny shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose. It will be a new challenge and I like that."

Hermione fell into a peaceful sleep, unable to wait until tomorrow.