A turning moment in life

Hermione was lying on her bed replaying the conversation with the Headmistress and her old Potions teacher. She felt a movement on her bed and turned to see Crookshanks staring widely at her.



‘Hi Crook, why are you looking at me like that?’



‘I just heard you saying you’ll apprentice with the bat of the dungeons,’ Crooks answered cheekily through their mental connection. After the incident with Scabbers and Sirius, Hermione was sure her Kneazle was more than a common familiar. She went through all the books in the Hogwarts library and the Black’s collection and she finally found a way to communicate with Crooks. He was far more intelligent than she expected, he always gave his true opinions and watched over his bushy haired owner like a predatory hawk.



‘Crooks! Don’t talk about him in that disrespectful manner,’ Hermione snapped.



‘Why do you always defend him? Are you interested in him in any other way than being his student?’



‘Of course not!’ Hermione replied too fast, while remembering the hidden side of Severus Snape that she had just discovered. ‘I just don’t think it’s fair for him after all he’s done for the wizarding world.’



Crooks left her alone; he knew that arguing with her was of no use when her mind was set. She was a stubborn little witch.



**__**__**



Ginny had a similar reaction when Hermione told her about what happened in the Headmistress’ office. But obviously, Hermione was not going to put up with any of it. She had had enough of people controlling her life with Ron.



‘Well, as if you could talk!’ Hermione said angrily. ‘You gasped so loud when Malfoy turned that I thought you might faint.’



‘Was it that obvious?’ Ginny groaned, mortified.



‘I’m sure he heard you.’ Hermione winked.



‘Oh, Hermione… I just couldn’t help it. Did you see how incredibly hot he looked?’



‘He’s always been drop-dead handsome, I admit it.’



‘I think I’ll try to flirt with him and see how he reacts. I need to forget about Harry, and Draco looks like he will be pure fire in the bed sheets.’



‘You’re terrible, Ginny.’



‘So, what about you and the old bat?’ Ginny changed the topic. ‘He didn’t look half bad in those clothes.’

‘What? I didn’t even notice.’



‘Sure you didn’t! You looked him up and down as if he were candy!’ Ginny started giggling like a fifth-year.



‘No! Well, a bit, but I was just surprised.’



‘Yeah, whatever you say.’



Hermione could not believe it. Had she stared at him in McGonagall’s presence? She did not recall having had any reaction toward the man. She just could not think about him in those terms, he was her teacher again; the apprenticeship would be jeopardized if anyone thought she was after the Potions Master. She was sure it was just a reaction; after four years he had changed quite a lot and it was only natural she was curious about him.



**__**__**



At 7.30 sharp the following morning, Hermione knocked on Snape’s door. She knew he could not stand lateness and would not hesitate to give her some hideous task to make up for it. When he opened the door, her jaw dropped and closed so fast he was a bit taken aback by her reaction. Snape was wearing a tight, black T-shirt which draped all his muscles just right. He was thin, but muscular; the Dark Mark was fading, but still visible, and that gave him an aura of danger and mystery. Hermione tried to act as normal as possible, but Severus Snape was no ordinary man and his years as a spy helped him detect body movements. He was surprised at the reaction his apprentice had. Maybe it would not be so boring to teach her privately.



What? Where did that come from? It’s Granger. Bloody I’m-Holier-Than-Thou Know-It-All Granger. I need to pay a visit to Charlize in Knockturn Alley soon; my thoughts are wandering to sex too often these days.



Snape showed Hermione his private office and explained what her job would consist of. He had a list from Poppy to keep the Granger chit busy for a couple of months. He could teach her new potions after a bit of hard work on her part.



‘Here’s the list with the potions to brew this month, Miss Granger. And there is a research project you must hand in no later than two months from now, no longer than twenty feet of parchment. I know how carried away you get on your assignments, but it will suffice with twenty feet. The instructions are at the bottom of the list,’ Severus ordered in his most imperative tone so she would not dare to argue. ‘Don’t call me before that time unless it’s a life or death situation. Did you understand, Miss Granger?’



‘Yes, sir,’ Hermione said while biting her lower lip and looking hesitantly at Professor Snape.



‘Spit it out, Miss Granger, or you’ll explode from the effort of containing your never-ending stream of questions.’



‘I was wondering, sir. Could I use your private library while working on your projects?’

‘Who told you about my books?’ snarled the Potions Master.



‘Well, Albus mentioned them once, during an Order meeting. I thought… I might…’ The murderous look on Snape’s face shut up the witch instantly. He looked ready to kill. Severus never shared his books; nobody had ever touched them but him. But he also knew Hermione Granger. If there was ever a bookworm worse than himself, then it was the Gryffindor Brain. She would probably break into his library just as she did to get the ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion back in her second year.



‘Miss Granger, I assume you know how to use extremely valuable books.’



‘Yes, sir.’ Hermione’s eyes lit up instantly. Severus felt a tingling in his stomach, but thought it was just nerves about sharing his most precious possessions.



‘You will be allowed to access my library on Wednesday nights, as I have no rounds then and will be able to keep an eye on you. You will not take them with you, copy them or talk about them to anyone. Is that clear?’



‘Of course, Professor.’



‘Follow me.’



Snape turned, he caught his robes and put them on as in the subdungeon level it was much colder than in his rooms. When he had them on, he made his robes billow in an extremely menacing way. He touched the wall in his office next to the fireplace and whispered the password. Hermione could not hear it, but was so excited she did not even think of getting it that way.



She could not believe it. She had found the gates to Heaven itself. The most amazing library she had ever seen opened before her eyes. The tomes covered the walls from floor to ceiling, overflowing with ancient books in protective spells to prevent ageing and cutting edge publications that made her mouth water in delight. Severus had never seen Hermione react like this, she looked flushed and wide eyed, panting hard, her body trembling. She looked as if she had just had sex. He could hardly keep himself from slamming her to the nearest bookcase and kissing her senseless.



Get a grip, Rus! This is Hermione Granger, of course she’s panting over books, but take her to bed? This is just a natural reaction after having had no sex for a few months now. It’s not as if the girl is anything special.



Hermione did not notice her teacher’s reaction; she was mesmerized by the sight of the old books, and she needed to touch them badly. Severus saw her reaching to his precious books and wanted to stop her, but he said she could use them and she would never damage them.



Hermione turned around and looked at him with such awe and respect that Snape felt his throat constrict, he needed air badly.