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Beneath the Surface

By: Sharkdiver
folder Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating: Adult ++
Chapters: 14
Views: 7,668
Reviews: 40
Recommended: 0
Currently Reading: 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
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Minor Details

Beneath The Surface

By: Sharkdiver

Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling. They are NOT MINE. I'm just borrowing them for a good time. No profit is being made from this.

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Severus Snape is currently researching a potion that could serve as protection from the effects of the Cruciatus curse. After Harry and Ron are sent to the Auror Academy, Albus Dumbledore arranges for Hermione Granger to assist in the research of this invaluable potion as an apprentice to Severus. Will they be able to overcome their differences for the greater good? (SS/HG)

AN: Sorry for the long delay in updates, I've had some real life crap going on that was a bit overwhelming. So without further ado...

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Chapter 6 - Minor Details

"So what did Dumbledore Say?" Ron asked her after seeing the pair of them chatting in the corner.

"He offered me a position doing work for the Order! He said he understood that I wasn't interested in the Ministry's offer, not after all we've been through." She said relieved.

"That's great 'Mione, did he tell you what it was you'd be doing?" Harry asked excitedly as he joined the conversation.

"Not yet, he said he needed to finalize a few more details, and that he would speak with me soon."

Ron picked up a glass of pumpkin juice and handed it to Hermione as they clinked their glasses together to toast to the beginning of what promised to be an exciting summer.

***********

Dumbledore used a portkey to return to the Headmaster's office at Hogwart's from Grimmauld Place. He needed to speak with Severus in regards to the "position" he had just offered to Hermione. He only hoped the cantankerous professor would cooperate.

He clutched a handful of floo powder, and spoke clearly as the green flames engulfed him inside the fireplace, "Hogwart's Dungeons".

A moment later, he stepped through the fireplace in one of the adjoining Potion's classrooms. Brushing the soot from his robes, he made his way towards Severus' private quarters.

Severus was sitting in a large worn leather wingback chair across from the hearth when he heard the Headmaster enter.

"Headmaster, do come in..." Severus said with a hint of sarcasm as Dumbledore made his way into his private quarters quite uninvited.

"Severus, my boy, I require a moment of your time." Dumbledore said simply, knowing better than to expect a warm welcome, "I have a proposition for you."

Severus motioned for him to take a seat across from him, and offered him a cup of tea.

"What sort of proposition?" Severus asked cautiously, being all too familiar with the Headmaster's ideas of 'propositions'. The Headmaster rarely did anything that wouldn't somehow benefit his cause in some way, and Severus was sure this time was no different.

"I would like for you to take on an assistant." Dumbledore continued when he saw the scowl form on Severus' face. "For an apprenticeship of sorts. It would be beneficial to the research endeavor you are undertaking, as well as to the Order." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Severus, as if daring him silently to challenge his authority.

'Ah...there it is,' Severus thought as Dumbledore had finally revealed his real reason behind this little chat.

"I prefer to work alone, Headmaster." There was no malice in the statement, just a simple fact. Severus Snape was a private person who liked to go about his own business unburdened with the opinions of others.

"I quite understand, Severus, but I must insist. The faster we see results with this potion, the more of an advantage we will have over Voldomort. Two minds working on this project will be more beneficial than one." Dumbledore calmly explained.

"And who would this apprentice be? Draco perhaps?" Severus had a feeling Dumbledore already had that planned as well. He knew better than to think the Headmaster would allow him to choose his own apprentice.

"No, Draco Malfoy is too much of a liability. Even though he does not follow in his father's footsteps that does not mean Lucius wouldn't be able to extract information from him. I have in fact already taken the liberty of speaking with someone regarding this position." Dumbledore said tersely.

Severus raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster's forwardness, "May I ask who?" Severus felt his stomach lurch because he already had an idea who Dumbledore was referring to.

"Hermione Granger." Dumbledore said casually as he sipped on his tea.

Severus felt his mouth go dry. He had planned to keep his distance from her since their little chat at Grimmauld Place. He knew it was too risky for him to be in close proximity to her, knowing how great the temptation would be. Severus knew in every fiber of his being that this was not a good idea, but he also knew there was no was of convincing Dumbledore otherwise.

"Surely there is someone else..." Severus was cut off by Dumbledore's words

"There is no one else. Not anyone I trust completely who has the intelligence to be of service to you." Dumbledore spoke in clipped tones. There were not many people who dared question his orders, the exception being Severus Snape. Then again, Severus had seen evil face-to-face, and looked fear in the eye. Dumbledore knew he would abide his request in the end, but it would not be without argument.

"Very well, Headmaster." Severus conceded. He knew it would be futile to argue, but he had never given up without a fight yet; he wasn't about to start now. In the end, he knew, once Dumbledore had his mind made up, there was no changing it.

"Thank you, Severus, I will inform Miss Granger of her duties."

"When would you like this apprenticeship to begin?" Severus spoke the word as if it disgusted him to simply say it.

"As soon as possible. In fact, I believe this evening would be ideal. This research is to be kept to the utmost secrecy, as you know. Where is the research being conducted?" Dumbledore asked him.

"I have been working on it in my private cottage in Hogsmeade. I needed to be close enough to the apothecary to purchase needed supplies without drawing undue attention."

"Very well. Under the circumstances, I think it best that Miss Granger stay at the cottage with you, at least for the summer months. This request is not only so that she may assist you, but also because she will need protection. She will not be in the confines of the school or safely ensconced in her parent's home. Without the protection of either, she is vulnerable to the likes of Voldomort. I trust that you will keep her safe."

"Of course, Headmaster. However, I will not be her babysitter. If she will be residing under my roof, she will follow my rules. I will not have her making a mockery of my home."

"I et not nothing less, Severus. I will speak with Miss Granger to let her know she will be leaving Grimmauld Place with you this evening. I appreciate your cooperation in this, Severus. I know you are not pleased with the situation, but I know I can count on you."

'As if I had a choice...' he thought to himself and nodded his consent to the Headmaster. He watched as Dumbledore made his way out of his rooms. When he heard the click of the locks signaling his wards were back in place, he muttered a small spell under his breath, "Accio Firewhiskey".


************

Hermione was quietly reading in her room when there was a soft knock on her door.

"Come in!" she called, wondering who it could be.

As the door opened, she saw Albus Dumbledore stepping into her room. She put her book down and looked to him with interest, knowing he must be here to brief her on her new position.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled as he approached taking a seat across from hers. "Tea?"

She smiled as he waved his wand over the serving tray and a small silver teapot appeared next to a plate of scones.

"I have some information for you Miss Granger, regarding your imminent work for the Order. I'm afraid I am unable to give you much time to prepare, since you will need to leave tonight." Dumbledore said just before sipping his tea.

"What is it exactly that I will be doing, Professor? And where will I be staying?" she asked him in confusion.

"You, Miss Granger, will be taking on the role of Apprentice in some very important research being done for the Order. You will be working unthe the direction of Severus Snape." he said as he bit into a scone before continuing.

Hermione's eyes widened. She had humiliated herself in front of Snape on more than one occasion...now she was supposed to be working with him alone all summer? This could get interesting...

"As you heard at the meeting, this research is of the utmost importance to our cause and requires much discipline. I felt you were a perfect candidate for the task. Since you and Severus will be working very closely, you will be residing with him at his cottage in Hogsmeade."

Hermione looked as if she were about to protest when Dumbledore held up his hand to still her comments.

"Now I know that his arrangement is not ideal for how however, since you won't be afforded the protection of Hogwart's, or your parent's home, residing with Severus is the only other way to ensure your safety. He has promised to keep you safe, and I trust him, Hermione." Dumbledore said as he looked into her eyes, letting her truly know he meant it.

Hermione closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before resigning to her fate. She stilled her fidgeting hands in her lap and looked back up at Dumbledore.

"I'll do it. What time are we to leave?"

After dinner sounds reasonable to me. Well, I'll leave you to it then." He said as he smiled at her encouragingly.

"And Hermione..."

"Yes, Professor?"

"I wouldn't have asked you to do this if I didn't have faith in your abilities."

"Thank you, Professor." Hermione gave him a small smile.

She watched as he left her room, and began to pack what she needed for the summer into her trunk. She needed to tell Ron and Harry right away, although she knew they'd tease her mercilessly but she didn't care. This research could make or break their advantage in the war against Voldomort.


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