Against The Odds

Chapter 3 - Reunions

Hermione had to wait for a whole year to join the ranks of the Hogwarts staff. While Ron and Harry went off to train with the Ministry, she took up studying and working on her Potions. It struck Hermione as strange that Professor Mcgonagall would put her in the position of potions apprentice, but she wouldn't argue it. She also failed to mention who the new Potions Professor was, but Hermione hoped they were pleasant at least. Her heart gave a painful tug at that thought and she quickly repented for that. "Never speak ill of the deceased, Hermione," she chided herself softly before going back to packing for her trip to Hogwarts the following day.

That evening, Hermione, Harry and Ron shared their last meal together. "So who do you reckon the new Potions git will be," Ron asked as he grabbed a roll from the basket in the center of the table.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure, I wouldn't even know how to venture a guess," she stated before taking a bite of her steak.

"Well, I'm sure you'll owl us once you know," Harry then said with a grin, but his grin looked more knowing than anything and it made Hermione suspicious. She didn't want to say anything in front of Ron however, in case Harry was more in the loop than Ron was. Hermione didn't get a chance to ask Harry about anything because Ron was around them the whole night.

The following morning, Hermione made one last sweep of her room and then the house, making sure she had everything before leaving for Hogwarts through the floo network. As she stepped out into the Headmistress' office she smiled softly at the portrait of Professor Dumbledore that greeted her cheerfully. "Good morning, Miss Granger," he greeted gently.

"Good morning, Professor," she replied almost timidly. She had never been as comfortable around Dumbledore as Harry was.

Thankfully, at that moment, the Headmistress walked in and immediately pulled Hermione into a tight hug. "Oh Hermione, it's been so long," Minerva said as she pulled away to look at the young woman before her. Hermione had fully grown into her looks now. Her once puffy main was tamed into gently waves that flowed down her back. Her teeth were very much proportioned now and she was a healthy weight for a woman of twenty.

"Professor Mcgonagall, it's always a pleasure," Hermione replied as they broke away from the hug. They both took a seat and Hermione bit her lip. "I must ask, who's the new Potions Professor," Hermione asked curiously with a tilt of her head.

"Ah, something the insufferable know it all doesn't know," a very familiar voice crooned from behind Hermione.

The brunette shot up out of her chair as if her bum was on fire and she spun to face the door where Severus Snape stood. It took her a moment to process why he looked so different. "But how? Surely you aren't a ghost because I can see you perfectly," Hermione stuttered as she stared at a man who was about 20 years younger than when she had last seen him, not to mention that he was alive!

Severus sneered at her as he walked over and poured himself a tall glass of firewhiskey. "I don't owe you any explanation," he snarled as he looked at Minerva. "Her chambers in the dungeons are complete," he stated as is if Hermione wasn't right there to begin with. It was quite clear that he didn't see her as an equal, but still as a mere student.

"Excuse me, Professor, I am right here and you should address me as such since I am going to be your partner," Hermione bit back, although there was a quiver in her voice when she said it.

Severus perked a brow and slowly turned his head so that his dark eyes met her chocolate ones. Minerva however, was hiding her bemused smile behind her hand. She hoped Hermione wouldn't be afraid to stand up to Severus, turns out, she was right. "What did you say to me, you insufferable know it all," he asked snidely.

"I do believe you heard me, sir. You've always had excellent hearing," she quipped back, making Minerva choke back a laugh that she quickly covered with a cough. Severus couldn't help, but think Minerva was more like Dumbledore than he had assumed.

His dark eyes shot to Minerva before shooting back to Hermione in a glare. "You will not speak to me that way, child," he barked.

It was Hermione's time to laugh now. "Child!? You're what now, twenty six? Twenty seven? You're barely my senior. We are partners now and in age we are perfectly matched! You will not treat me as a simpering child," she stated, making Severus and Minerva stare at her in open mouthed shock. She was even a bit shocked at herself actually and proud.

Severus' lip curled in disgust at that. Had he known that this turn of events was going to happen in his life, he wouldn't have made himself quite so young. "Severus, please show Hermione to her chambers so that she may get settled in," Minerva stated quickly before more bickering broke out in her office.

"Very well," he enunciated each word and spun so his robes made a snap sound as he did. "Follow me, Miss Granger," he said as he began his hurried walk from the room.

Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed her trunk with the undetectable extension charm and gave a hurried goodbye to the Headmistress before literally running to catch up to Severus, who was already past the Great Hall. She didn't say a word as she caught up to him, but she was panting softly, she really needed to get back into her morning jogs. They walked in silence all the way to the dungeons and past the classrooms. They even passed the dormitories and she had to wonder where the heck they were going. "Behind this portrait is my chambers," he stated as he pointed to a very angry looking old wizard. "This is yours,"he stated as he pointed to a portrait of a beautiful grazing unicorn. At least it was a pretty portrait, she thoughtfully ruefully. "The password is Insufferable know it all," he stated with a smirk as the door swung open.

She rolled her eyes and stepped into her room, surprised when he followed without invitation. "This door here," he pointed to the wall on the right of her livingroom, "that connects our chambers. I trust there will never be a reason to use it, but it's beneficial in either case," he replied as she closed the door they had just come though. "You can decorate any way you see prudent," he replied with a wrinkle of his nose as he already knew her Gryffindor pride would soon smother the room.

Minerva is expecting us at dinner with the staff, dress normally and be there promptly at five," he stated before heading to the door adjoining their rooms and vanished without so much as a goodbye.

Hermione let out an exasperated growl and fell onto her couch, she would catch a nap before she got busy with her day.

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