The Diary
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
15
Views:
22,043
Reviews:
74
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
15
Views:
22,043
Reviews:
74
Recommended:
1
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.
Chapter 10
A/N: Again, thanks for all the wonderful reviews - I really appreciate them! A note about the story: here it starts to speed up a little bit. I debated on this for a while when I was writing it, but I decided that I could only handle so much angst in one story (I\'ve got to save some for another story, right?). Besides, I am operating on the approach that people try to learn from their mistakes... And, I thought it would be cruel to keep you in suspense for too much longer. (Although the last chapter was one of my favorite ones to write...)
****
Snape saw her several times in the following years as Hermione completed her apprenticeship. After her first two years in Norway, she had started to receive invitations to present some of her research at Potions conferences throughout Europe. He always attended her presentations, and he always sat in on the panels she participated on. But he never approached her, he never talked to her. And clearly, he was no longer haunting her dreams. She was frequently accompanied by one blonde-haired, blue-eyed male or another. Never the same one, but she clearly did not lack for company.
Upon completing her apprenticeship, Hermione had been asked to present her current research to the International Conference of Alchemists, the most prestigiconfconference in the field. As usual, Snape sat in the back of the conference room, watching Hermione present her research; she had been focusing on the ancient sources of the Unforgivable curses, using the theory that these curses, like potions affected the body’s chemistry, and could therefore be challenged with alchemical responses. She presented the current status of her research, which had focused specifically on the Cruciatus curse. She had identified some of the chemical responses in the body, and had begun to target these responses. She was currently working on a potion that would help reduce the intensity of the curse.
Snape listened intently. From her past work with Ole, he had guessed that her research might tthisthis direction, but he was amazed at the amount of progress she had made with it. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would have gotten as far – or even explored this area at all – if she had apprenticed with him. He sighed. As the question period ended, he debated approaching her, talking to her, as a colleague, of course, about her research. But so many others approached her that he turned away and left.
****
Sitting in the hotel room, Hermione reflected on her presentation. The response had been overwhelming, and she had almost immediately received several offers that would allow her to continue her research. She had collected business cards, names and contact information. She’d have to mull over it all later; she was tired, anl shl she really wanted to do was relax. Getting ready to run a bath, she noticed a letter on the dresser that she knew had not been there before her presentation.
Congratulations, Potions Master Granger, on your fantastic accomplishment; your area of research into the Cruciatus curse will no doubt prove to be invaluable in these times. As a final obligation (although I hope that it will not be seen as such!) of your scholarship funding, the scholarship requests that you provide a brief report to the Headmaster concerning your studies. I look forward to seeing you at your earliest convenience, and again, my most sincere congratulations.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts
Hermione smiled. Dumbledore always seemed to know what was going on, a step ahead of everyone else. She put the note next to the basket of flowers that had arrived from Harry, and the chocolate frogs that had come from Ron, and went to take her bath.
****
“Please, my dear, call me Albus.” Hermione walked the hallways of Hogwarts with her former headmaster. “I must congratulate you; your work is ground-breaking. Have you, er, considered where you will work, now that your apprenticeship is finished?”
Hermione shook her head. “Well, I’ve received a number of offers, all of which have good points and bad points. So, no. I haven’t made a decision on anything, yet. I wanted to take some time off, spend some time with my parents, and then the Weasleys have invited me for a reunion of sorts, with Harry and Ron, and Ginny, and possibly even the twins.” She smiled.
Dumbledore smiled. “Perhaps, before you make a decision, you mightow mow me to try to influence your thought processes.” She looked over at him, and noticed that they were standing at the entrance to the library. He gestured for her to enter. More than a little curious now, she entered the library, and then followed Dumbledore to the Restricted section.
He paused. “We may have a few books here that may be off interest to you.” He reached seemingly at random, and pulled a thin book off the shelves. “This, er, was written in the 4th centun Egn Egypt, and is a discussion of the refinements of the Cruciatus.” He re-shelved the book, and bent down to pick up another one. “And this one comes from the Russian steppes, and discusses the influx of Dark Magic in the 7th century…” His voice trailed off, a slight smile on his face.
Hermione looked directly at Albus Dumbledore, with a hint of a smile on her face. “Pro-, uh, Albus, is there a reason you are showing these to me? Other than to encourage me to spend my summer locked in the library?”
“You sI haI have found myself with a vacancy in my staff for the next year,” Hermione’s pulse jumped – Snape? Had he actually left? Or, had something happened to him? Noting the look of concern on her face, Dumbledore smiled inwardly, and continued, “No, not Severus. He continues to lurk in the dungeons, scaring students, and deducting house points.” He paused again.
“No, I am in need of a Runes instructor. I realize that your specialty is in Potions, but Ole has kept me well informed, and he says that your expertise in Runes is exceptional. You would, of course, have unlimited access to the library, and we could find you suitable laboratory space in the dungeons, to continue your personal research. We also have the added advantage of already having one Potions Master here, so you would be able to have someone with whom to discuss the finer points of your field. With the other faculty here, you would have unparalleled access to some of thnestnest minds in a wide range of fields….”
His voice trailed off. “Of course, you know already about our fine greenhouses, the access to magical creatures, and, of course, the close proximity to Hogsmeade… Master Granger, will you do me the honor of accepting the position?”
Oh wow. “I understand that you need some time to get your affairs in order, of course, but if you were to accept, we would be able to find you accommodations as soon as you are ready.”
Hermionok aok a breath. Why not? it was certainly better than the other options she was considering. “Yes, of course I accept, Albus.” She smiled shyly, still hesitant at using his first name.
****
Snape saw her several times in the following years as Hermione completed her apprenticeship. After her first two years in Norway, she had started to receive invitations to present some of her research at Potions conferences throughout Europe. He always attended her presentations, and he always sat in on the panels she participated on. But he never approached her, he never talked to her. And clearly, he was no longer haunting her dreams. She was frequently accompanied by one blonde-haired, blue-eyed male or another. Never the same one, but she clearly did not lack for company.
Upon completing her apprenticeship, Hermione had been asked to present her current research to the International Conference of Alchemists, the most prestigiconfconference in the field. As usual, Snape sat in the back of the conference room, watching Hermione present her research; she had been focusing on the ancient sources of the Unforgivable curses, using the theory that these curses, like potions affected the body’s chemistry, and could therefore be challenged with alchemical responses. She presented the current status of her research, which had focused specifically on the Cruciatus curse. She had identified some of the chemical responses in the body, and had begun to target these responses. She was currently working on a potion that would help reduce the intensity of the curse.
Snape listened intently. From her past work with Ole, he had guessed that her research might tthisthis direction, but he was amazed at the amount of progress she had made with it. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would have gotten as far – or even explored this area at all – if she had apprenticed with him. He sighed. As the question period ended, he debated approaching her, talking to her, as a colleague, of course, about her research. But so many others approached her that he turned away and left.
****
Sitting in the hotel room, Hermione reflected on her presentation. The response had been overwhelming, and she had almost immediately received several offers that would allow her to continue her research. She had collected business cards, names and contact information. She’d have to mull over it all later; she was tired, anl shl she really wanted to do was relax. Getting ready to run a bath, she noticed a letter on the dresser that she knew had not been there before her presentation.
Congratulations, Potions Master Granger, on your fantastic accomplishment; your area of research into the Cruciatus curse will no doubt prove to be invaluable in these times. As a final obligation (although I hope that it will not be seen as such!) of your scholarship funding, the scholarship requests that you provide a brief report to the Headmaster concerning your studies. I look forward to seeing you at your earliest convenience, and again, my most sincere congratulations.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts
Hermione smiled. Dumbledore always seemed to know what was going on, a step ahead of everyone else. She put the note next to the basket of flowers that had arrived from Harry, and the chocolate frogs that had come from Ron, and went to take her bath.
****
“Please, my dear, call me Albus.” Hermione walked the hallways of Hogwarts with her former headmaster. “I must congratulate you; your work is ground-breaking. Have you, er, considered where you will work, now that your apprenticeship is finished?”
Hermione shook her head. “Well, I’ve received a number of offers, all of which have good points and bad points. So, no. I haven’t made a decision on anything, yet. I wanted to take some time off, spend some time with my parents, and then the Weasleys have invited me for a reunion of sorts, with Harry and Ron, and Ginny, and possibly even the twins.” She smiled.
Dumbledore smiled. “Perhaps, before you make a decision, you mightow mow me to try to influence your thought processes.” She looked over at him, and noticed that they were standing at the entrance to the library. He gestured for her to enter. More than a little curious now, she entered the library, and then followed Dumbledore to the Restricted section.
He paused. “We may have a few books here that may be off interest to you.” He reached seemingly at random, and pulled a thin book off the shelves. “This, er, was written in the 4th centun Egn Egypt, and is a discussion of the refinements of the Cruciatus.” He re-shelved the book, and bent down to pick up another one. “And this one comes from the Russian steppes, and discusses the influx of Dark Magic in the 7th century…” His voice trailed off, a slight smile on his face.
Hermione looked directly at Albus Dumbledore, with a hint of a smile on her face. “Pro-, uh, Albus, is there a reason you are showing these to me? Other than to encourage me to spend my summer locked in the library?”
“You sI haI have found myself with a vacancy in my staff for the next year,” Hermione’s pulse jumped – Snape? Had he actually left? Or, had something happened to him? Noting the look of concern on her face, Dumbledore smiled inwardly, and continued, “No, not Severus. He continues to lurk in the dungeons, scaring students, and deducting house points.” He paused again.
“No, I am in need of a Runes instructor. I realize that your specialty is in Potions, but Ole has kept me well informed, and he says that your expertise in Runes is exceptional. You would, of course, have unlimited access to the library, and we could find you suitable laboratory space in the dungeons, to continue your personal research. We also have the added advantage of already having one Potions Master here, so you would be able to have someone with whom to discuss the finer points of your field. With the other faculty here, you would have unparalleled access to some of thnestnest minds in a wide range of fields….”
His voice trailed off. “Of course, you know already about our fine greenhouses, the access to magical creatures, and, of course, the close proximity to Hogsmeade… Master Granger, will you do me the honor of accepting the position?”
Oh wow. “I understand that you need some time to get your affairs in order, of course, but if you were to accept, we would be able to find you accommodations as soon as you are ready.”
Hermionok aok a breath. Why not? it was certainly better than the other options she was considering. “Yes, of course I accept, Albus.” She smiled shyly, still hesitant at using his first name.