Whiskey Colored Eyes

I want to dedicate this story to Sebastian. Sebastian was a beautiful, magnificent black cat. He passed away on December 20, 2004. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about him and how much I miss him. I got Sebastian when he was barely 4 weeks old, so tiny he could fit in the palm of my hand. I loved him more then I can ever explain. Sebastian was always there for me, during the good times and the bad. During the bad times; when it felt like I was so beaten down that I couldn't possibly go on, Sebastian was there for me to lean on, for me to gain strength from. He was my rock. When he died, all I could think was...How am I supposed to do this without him? I guess I figured it out...but my life has never been the same.

So...this is for you Bubba. I love you.

When she had cried herself out, Hermione pulled away from the Headmistress' arms and wiped her eyes. "I'm going to resign from my apprenticeship." She said, her voice shaky, but decisive.

Minerva stared at the girl for a moment, surveying her tear stained face and puffy eyes. Taking a deep breathe, she stood and walked to stand behind her desk. "No Ms. Granger. You will not." She said firmly, "I will not allow it."

"Not allow it?" Hermione repeated softly. "But Minerva, you saw how angry he was. He'll never be able to work with me again."

"Yes Hermione, I did see how angry he was, and in all honesty I have never seen him that angry in all the years that I have known him. But that does not change my decision. I will not give my approval for the dissolution of your contract." She stared pointedly at the girl.

"But he hates me."

"I think that our dear Potions Master is feeling a myriad of emotions right at this moment. Many he's never experienced before and many he hasn't permitted himself to feel in years. But I do not believe "hate" is one of them." Minerva smiled a sly smile at the look of confusion of Hermione's face. "Hermione dear, he is hurt and confused right now. But he does not hate you. I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching. Just give him some time."

Hermione nodded her head sadly and stood up. "May I make a copy of this?" She asked, holding up the picture of Severus and Olie.

"Just keep it." Minerva said, sitting down behind her desk. "But don't tell him I gave it to you." She said looking up suddenly. "And it would probably be best if you stay out of his way for a few days."

Hermione left the headmistress' office and made her way slowly back to the dungeons. Entering their shared living space, she glanced around cautiously. He was no where to be seen. With her head down, she entered her room and lay down on her bed. Though it was only mid morning, she was exhausted. She felt as if she had been awake for days.

It was late evening and she sat staring vacantly into space, her untouched dinner beside her. She jumped when she heard the dungeon doors slam loudly closed. Moving as quietly as she could, she went to her bedroom door. Opening it a crack, she peeked out into the living room.

Hermione could tell immediately that Professor Snape was very drunk. He swayed unsteadily as he struggled to remove his robes. Cursing loudly, he yanked them from his shoulders, flinging them to the ground. As he staggered to his bedroom, he bumped into a small side table, knocking it over. She stifled a gasp when he picked the table up and threw it violently across the room.

The next morning Hermione's head and throat ached from crying.

She left the safety of her bedroom and glanced nervously around the living room. She was surprised to see that the damaged side table had been repaired and returned to its original position. Approaching the dungeon door, she saw that a piece of parchment had been tacked there.

We are behind. St. Mungo's needs the following potions;

Severus spiky handwriting listed the potions and quantities needed

"Well that was short and sweet" She murmured to herself.

Making her way to her brewing station, she immersed herself in daunting task of brewing two days worth of potions in one day.  In truth, she welcomed the amount of work and for the rest of the day her mind was filled with nothing but her potions brewing.

It was late in the evening when Hermione neatly labeled the last potion vial. Exhausted, she quickly tidied her work area and headed to her bedroom. Just as she was drifting to sleep, it occurred to her that she had not seen Professor Snape all day.