I Will Remember You

Not much to say. This will be my longest chapter yet. I was really bored in Bio Lecture. Enjoy!

Still don't own them, but can I have Sev and Lucius for a few hours as a reward for my hard work on this story?

All eyes were on her. Hermione was trying to eat her lunch in peace, but Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Pomfrey would not stop watching her. She was again in Snape's seat at the High Table after Dumbledore assured her that he always took his lunches in his quarters durring the holidays. As they continued to stare, she realized they were watching her eat. Loss of appetite was one of the first signs of the severe stages of the illness. Finally, when she had enough, Hermione put the fork on the plate with a clang and stood up. "Just stop! I am not going to try and starve myself, nor am I just going to fall over into my plate. I am not dead yet! I am still Hermione Granger and I don't need to be babysat, nor do I want your pity!" With that, she made her way down the cold staircase to the dungeons. ~At least I can count on Snaoe not to treat me differently, and I certainly won't have to worry about pity.~
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"Professor, are you here?" Hermione stepped over to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin at the back of the classroom. It had always been there, but other than in second year when they thought it might be a possible entrance to the chamber, Hermione had seldom noticed it. Salazar stared down at her. "Hmm. A muggle-born Gryffindor. He's never allowed either to enter this room, let alone both in one. What is the password?" "Corinth." "Enter."

Dispite the cold greeting from the portrait, Hermione was surprised at the friendly atmosphere of the small potions lab. Bright colored paintings and richly woven tapestries hung on the walls, save one. The wall that was right if the entrance was lined from ceiling to floor with books. She did not see the dark figure in the shadows as she began to scan the shelves. Most were potions volumes, some very old, a few were even first addition. Yet there was a surprising diversity of subjects, including Transfiguration, Dark Arts, Arithmancy, Runes, and Magical Creatures. There was even a full case of Muggle literature, mostly poetry. "Trust you to go straight to the books, Miss Granger." Hermione squeeked in surprise at the silky tone of the Potions Master, noting that it lacked it's usual acidity. "Sorry Professor, I didn't see you lurking in the shadows." Hermione instantly realized what she had said and stealed herself for a harsh reprimand. Instead she got something she never expected. A small grin crossed the his face. ~Oh Merlin! He actually grinned! He looks so much younger and more attractive when he smiles. I must be losing it...I just said attractive. Get ahold of yourself, Hermione. Even with the smile he is still Snape.~ ~Well, I see I have successfully unsettled Miss Granger. This may not be as bad as I thought it would.~ "Well, I certainly hope I didn't rattle your Gryffindor courage too much. We should get started. I will instruct you in all of your subjects, including potions. However I will not be of any assitance in Divination." "Don't worry, Sir. I dropped that in my third year. I think she is a fraud who enjoys scaring her students." "Well, then you must not think very highly of me, Miss Granger." "Oh, but I do, Sir! You may be...harsh in class but I know for a fact you are one of the best potions masters in the world. It must be hard for you to slow things down to the level of the students." Snape was taken aback. "How do you know such things?" "I get many of the potions journals delivered to me, Sir. I have been reading your articles since second year." Snape was very surprised. He thought the child, no young woman, must despise him, being not only a Gryffindor, but oone of Potter's closest friends. "Well, I am...erm...flattered. Thank You. What subject would you like to start with?" "Transfiguration." "Interesting choice. Alright. What Can you do, so that I don't waste time by overlapping." Hermiongan gan the litany of what she knew in the subject. By the time she finished, Snape had a new found respect for her. She had already learned things on her own that were not taught until university level. "Well, next you'll be telling me you're an unregistered Animagus." Hermione's face instantly fell. "What? What did I say? What is Wrong?" "Nothing, Sir." "Granger, I demand you tell me what is wrong with you." "It's just...well it is silly...but I wanted so much to take the Animagus class." "Well, as you already know everything they could possibly ask you on your Transfiguration NEWT, I suppose I could substitute Animagus lessons for Transfiguration in your curriculum." "Sir, that is a very kind gesture, but I know it takes years to become an Animagus and well I..." "Nonsense. If Sirius Black and that lot he hung around with could learn it, I am sure yo will have it mastered in no time." "Alright, Thank You Sir! Sir, are you an Animagus?...I am sorry. It is really non of my business, I shouldn't have asked." "It is only natural for you to want to be sure of your professor's qualifications. I expected no less of you." Hermione was about to reply to her professor, but he wasn't there anymore. Where he had stood, a beautiful black fox with one green eye and one grey eye, now sat. He transformed back into human form and looked at the astounded Hermione. He couldn't resist. "What, were you expecting a ferret?"