The Conference

Severus sat down alone at a table in the back of the banquet hall, bracing himself for the ever-boring welcome speech that always came before the first meal of the conference. He wore black slacks and a matching shirt made of silk that buttoned down the front. His dark eyes looked straight ahead at the podium in the front of the room. Reginald was his least favorite speaker. He did alright in Potions research, but his speeches were long, boring and completely worthless.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice from behind him. "Hello, Professor. Can we join you?" It was Miss Granger and her enterage of college girls. Seeing her with a pack of Witches was equally as strange as seeing her in the revealing, red dress she wore. She had never associated much with the other girls at Hogwarts except for Ginny Weasley. What on earth had gotten into her?

He gave a nod and replied, "If you wish."

Hermione took a seat across from him and the other girls filled out the other chairs.

Severus looked at all of them, then back at Hermione. "It seems you have your own SAS agents, Miss Granger."

The girls giggled and Hermione replied, "These are just my friends from the honors program." She looked at each girl in turn. "This is Debbie, Amanda, Paula, Tiffany and Jennifer. They're majoring in Potions too."

"Mione tells us you're the best Potionsmaster in England." Debbie said.

His eyes narrowed at Hermione. "Oh really?"

Debbie reached for one of the buttered rolls that sat in a lined basket on the tables and replied, "You're her hero."

Hermione blushed and elbowed Debbie in the ribs. "Shut up, will you? You're embarrarring me!" She then turned her attention back to Severus. "Honestly, I can't take her anywhere! She's insufferable!"

"I used to say that same about you, Miss Granger." he smirked.

Debbie got a mischievious glint in her eyes and leaned over towards Severus. "Come on, Professor, give us the dirt. What was Mione like back in school?"

He smiled knowingly and replied, "She was by far the most brilliant student in my class, but I found it rather difficult to tolerate her constant questions."

"She's still like that, I'm afraid." Debbie chuckled, "She just has to know everything or she'll just explode!"

Hermione drew her wand and pointed it at the girl. "One more word, and I'll turn you into a turkey. I hear they're in demand this time of year."

Debbie scowled at her, but decided to shut up.

Reginald stepped up to the podium and began what would be his most boring speech to date. They all sat as he droned on, none of them impressed by his stammering and rambling. There had been many times Severus considered sending the wizard a coupon for public speaking classes. He was that terrible.

When the speech finally ended, everyone applauded politely through their yawns and the waiters began serving dinner. Severus ordered steak and potatoes while Hermione and her companions decided to have the baked chicken in red wine sauce with steamed broccoli.

After she ordered her meal, Hermione looked at Severus and asked, "So how are things at the school, Professor?"

"This year's class is worst than the last." he complained, "They're more concerned with making out than making potions, I'm afraid."

The other girls gawked at his snarkiness, but Hermione was used to it. She smiled and replied, "Well, they ARE teenagers!"

"Unfortunately, Miss Granger, students like yourself are the exception rather than the rule." he stated dryly, "They let their hormones drive them instead of their minds."

Debbie's mouth dropped. "Are you talking about the same Mione, Professor?"

Hermione kicked the girl squarely in the shins and said, "For crying out loud, Debbie, he used to be my professor! Don't go telling him my personal business!"

The girl grinned evilly at Hermione and muttered, "Mione's a freak. Mione's a freak."

"Why don't we change the subject and ignore the fact that Debbie exists." Hermione said, red faced.

Severus smirked and replied, "As you wish, Miss Granger. You should know that Miss Weasley is doing well in Advanced Potions, and Hagrid has a new hippogriff he's looking after. He named her Deborah."

Hermione smiled at the chance to get back at her fellow Witch for embarrassing her. "Well, if it looks like a hippogriff and behaves like a hippogriff, then it must be a hippogriff." she hissed, looking straight at Debbie.

"She's just mad because I know all her dirty, little secrets, Professor." Debbie hit back.

"Debbie Paddington, you've said quite enough!" Amanda exclaimed before Hermione could respond, "I swear, I don't know why she puts up with you. You're the biggest busybody I've ever seen."

Severus found it hard to believe that Hermione Granger would have any kind of secrets, let alone the dirty kind. She had been such a straight arrow in school. This change in her was a real shock. He remembered her as the kind of girl that would much rather curl up with a potions manual on Friday night than snog with some boy wizard. What a difference three years can make!

After dinner, Hermione left with her girl friends trailing behind her. They went out to see the latest scary movie, 'Demon Hunters', then went for coffee at the coffeehouse next door. It was very late by the time Hermione came back to her room.

"You're up late, Miss Granger." came the familiar, silky voice from behind her as she fidgeted in her purse for her key card.

She turned to see Severus there, standing with his arms folded at his chest and sporting his trademark sneer.

"News flash, Professor, I'm all grown up now." she replied icily and slid the key card into the reader. She then opened the door and said, "See ya!" before rushing inside and closing the door firmly behind her.

"How dare he treat me like I'm still a little girl" she groaned and fell onto the king sized bed. It was time for Severus Snape to learn a lesson, Granger style!