Evil Personified

Four

Albus Dumbledore spent the remainder of his afternoon pondering. He was pleased that Miss Granger - Hermione now, had accepted his offer of employment. It was rather greedy of him to want to keep her at Hogwarts, but she would be a great asset to the teaching staff in the long run. So would Harry Potter, provided that Harry accepted his offer this evening. As for Ron Weasley, Albus didn't feel he could offer the boy a teaching post. He was better suited to follow Arthur's footsteps at the Ministry of Magic.

Remus Lupin had already agreed to return to the post of Defense against the Dark Arts. Severus, he knew was disappointed again that he had not been given the job, but Albus preferred that he continue to take of the potions department. He chuckled when he thought about how angry Severus was going to be when he found out that Hermione was going to be his apprentice in potions.

It had been in his mind to break the news to Severus this evening, but on second thought he decided to wait and just take Hermione to him on Monday morning. Given Severus' temper, that was not a prudent idea, but the man was less likely to object if Hermione were already firmly established.

He still found it interesting that Poppy had told him the girl had been sitting by Severus' bedside. Never had a student taken an interest in the moody Professor. Other than Gilderoy Lockheart, Albus had never had to deal with a student getting a crush on any of the teaching staff-save his own dear Minerva, who had come to Hogwarts whilst he himself was still teaching Transfiguration.

He had sinned against the rules with her, and he old enough to be her father. It was a point of guilt that he had eventually come to terms with. He was most curious as to Hermione's interest in Severus. It had been his thoughts that she would end up married to Ron Weasley, breeding a new generation of redheads.

What if she did fancy Severus? She was so close to graduation that it would not matter if she did. But what of Severus? Albus seriously doubted that the man would show the same interest in the girl who had been a thorn in his side for the past seven years.

He would have to see. The coming months should prove most interesting.

~*~

Minerva McGonagall was very excited when Albus related to her that both Hermione and Harry would be staying on at Hogwarts. Harry would have most of the summer free, but Hermione would need immediate housing.

"We could put her in the Slytherin wing, near Slytherin house," Minerva planned. "That way she would be close to the potions lab."

"Perhaps you should ask her if she would prefer to stay upstairs with the Gryffindors, Minerva. I know it is not convenient to the lab, but she may be uncomfortable in the dungeons, particularly if Severus gives us a difficult time."

"You've spoken to Severus, haven't you, Albus?"

Albus was silent.

Realization dawned on Minerva.

"You didn't tell him, did you?"

"I feel it best not to. He is not fond of the girl and I do not wish to give him time to protest."

"That is not a nice thing to do."

"Come now, my dear. Do you really think that Severus would accept Hermione's presence gracefully and without comment?"

"We both know the answer to that."

"Exactly. And another thing, I am needed at the Ministry week after next to testify on the final battle. I have decided that you should accompany me. We can have a short holiday, and since there will be no students I am going to leave Severus in charge."

"Do you really think that wise? Hermione might need our assistance if he becomes too difficult."

"Hermione can hold her own against Severus. She is a courageous young woman. Removing ourselves may be for the best. That way they will at least learn to tolerate one another."

"I hope you are right, and not doing something foolish."

"Don't be silly, Minerva. They are both grown, and I hardly think they will do away with one another. Now stop fretting and come to bed. It's been a long weekend."

~*~

Hermione was excited about her new assignment. It was hard to keep it a secret and not blurt it out to Lavender and Parvati, who kept wondering why she was so happy. Harry had accepted Dumbledore's offer as well, and only Ron was unhappy.

"Bloody hell Harry," he said, wadding up more clothing and cramming it into his trunk. "You and 'Mione both are deserting me. Some friends you are. I thought that we were all going to be together this summer."

"You and I are going to be spending most of it at the burrow with everyone else, but Hermione can't. She starts in her new position the week after school ends."

"Why she would want to work with that greasy, overgrown bat is beyond me." Ron shivered at the thought of having to spend a single day alone in the company of Snape.

"It's a good opportunity, and you should be proud of her. I'm glad that Dumbledore offered us jobs. You know that Hogwarts is like my home, next to the burrow, of course."

"But what about Number 12? I thought you were going to live there once you took up Auror training."

"I can still visit on the weekends. I've agreed to let the Order members
continue using the house since Sirius willed it to me. The war may be over but
their work will continue."

"I can't talk you out of it, can I?"

"Not this time, Ron. Besides, you will be plenty busy helping out at the
Ministry."

"Putting up with Percy and his pompous arse you mean."

"I would expect Percy to behave better since the war ended and he and his
friends have been put in their places."

Harry was reclined on the bed, idly tossing his wand in the air and catching it.

Ron snorted, and shut his trunk.

"Far as I'm concerned, you and Hermione have left me high and dry."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm hungry. What do you say to sneaking down to the kitchens and talking the house elves out of some food?"

"Sounds good to me, should we ask Herm?"

"Leave her be. She seems preoccupied."

"Knowing her, she's probably formulating a list of questions that will irritate Snape to no end," Ron observed.

Harry couldn't help giggling at the thought. It would be just like Hermione to be preparing lists before she even started her new job.

~*~

Severus celebrated the departure of the golden trio by staying in his rooms and consuming too much to drink. Thus, he was not privy to the fact that Hermione Granger stayed behind, moving her trunk and other possessions into rooms not too far from his own in the dungeons.

Hermione had thought it best to be near the lab in case Professor Snape would need her assistance. Minerva had told her bluntly that she'd best be prepared to face hostility from the Professor and that perhaps she might do better remaining upstairs near the Gryffindors and Minerva. The young woman had refused, preferring to take on Snape and fight him on his own ground.

He woke up on Saturday morning hung over. It took him some time to coax himself from the bed to take a hangover potion before showering. He couldn't help smirking to himself as he went to breakfast. For the first time in seven years he would not have to have any of the golden trio in his potions classes. No know-it-all waving her hand frantically, or worse yet, speaking out of turn. No Voldemort. No Potter. No more spying.

He slid into his place at the table, which because of the students being gone was the sole remaining table in the great hall. Pomona and Rolanda Hooch were chatting and eating already. Albus was enjoying his second cup of steaming tea, and Severus helped himself to eggs and toast.

Minerva came in shortly, chatting softly with her companion. Severus didn't bother to look up as she sat down and her companion sat next to her.

"Good morning, Professor."

At the sound of that voice, Severus almost choked on his toast. He had to be hearing things. The know-it-all had departed Hogwarts yesterday, didn't she?

Severus struggled to swallow the toast as he turned his head. Hermione Granger was cheerfully spreading marmalade on her own slice of toast and beaming at him.

"Surprise, Severus." Albus leaned over. "Hermione is now a part of our permanent staff. Her first assignment is as your apprentice. She starts on Monday."

Severus did choke then, his anger aiding and abetting the toast that refused to go down.

"Goodness, Severus," Minerva said, starting up from her seat but Hermione beat her to it. She soundly popped Severus on the back, dislodging the toast, which slid in a lumpy heap down his throat.

She peered into his eyes, almost nose to nose with him.

"Are you all right, Sir?"

He glared back, but the girl only continued to look concerned, ignoring his ire.

"No," he croaked; standing up so quickly that Hermione almost fell. "No way is she assisting me!"

"Now, Severus," Albus began mildly. Before he could even finish his sentence, the angry potions master had swept out the teachers door in a flurry of robes.

Rolanda watched in amusement before remarking:

"He took that well, don't you think?"

"Don't worry, Hermione," Minerva said, sitting again. "He growls a lot but he will get used to you."

Hermione only smiled, thinking more about the fact that she would now be very close to the object of her affections rather than the fact that the object of her affections disliked the sight of her.

~*~

Severus was so angry when he reached the dungeons that the glass vials in the lab rattled as he stormed through. The door to his rooms opened automatically and slammed shut behind him with such force that several beakers hit the floor and smashed.

He could not believe it. One-third of the golden trio was going to remain to torment him. Weasley, he could have tolerated, but Granger! His apprentice. He needed no apprentice to begin with, and she would be the last one he would choose to assist him.

The damned girl, she must have talked Albus into letting her stay. That had to be it. His eyes narrowed evilly. He'd been around her long enough to know that she couldn't take a hint and remove her person from his sight. For some reason, especially the last year she had always seemed to be right in his way.

He paced in a circle, grumbling to himself. His index finger idly tapped against his lower lip. What to do. What to do about her.

Albus would not allow him to refuse to take her on as his apprentice, that much was certain. He could be extremely mean to her. However, she would just ignore it. He could always take her by surprise and try being nice. Nice? Him? The word was not in his vocabulary, he thought with a sneer.

He would just have to come up with a plan to rid himself of Hermione Granger, top know-it-all once and for all.