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Broken Enigma	By : Bloodsrose Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 5887 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
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 List
- 10
- 11
Chapter Eleven – Tentative Colleagues

As she wandered through the thick foliage, the pleasing aroma of freshly cut orchids filled her with a light, euphoric feeling. Even though she didn’t recognize her surroundings, she felt at ease in the space. Her long flowing robes continued to trail behind her as she wandered out of the solarium and into an immaculately kept courtyard. The sun was setting in the west and with the gentle breeze blowing in from the north; it was a gorgeous evening. It was the steady beat of a very large bird’s wings beating against the winds that called her attention away from her surroundings.

The great bird hovered in the air, its large wings beating furiously against the gentle winds. Eyeing it curiously, she couldn’t help but notice its eyes. Black as coal but with a significant gleam of intelligence, as if it knew something others did not.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Turning toward the sound, she was surprised to see a person shrouded in shadow now inside the solarium she had just left behind. The gentle tapping sound soon became louder as the person continued to bang against the glass of the indoor garden. It was then she noticed that the bird she had taken such interest in earlier disappeared. Now more confused than ever, she turned back toward the solarium but the shadowy figure was gone. Suddenly, the winds picked up, causing her robes and hair to whip wildly around her…

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Hermione let loose a muffled curse at the constant tapping that was slowly but surely penetrating the blanket of sleep, which she was so lovingly encased in. Growling in frustration, she finally gave in and tossed back the bed sheets before dragging her body from the bed and toward the window. Her eyes widened in surprise as her body tensed with fear when she caught sight of the messenger hovering outside her window. Hermione quickly opened the window allowing the phoenix entrance into her rooms. Fawkes glided easily into the room and settled himself on the foot of the bed, before offering the letter attached to his leg. The young witch hurriedly removed the letter from the phoenix and before she could even voice the question hovering on her lips the bird was gone in a flash. Now, even more concerned she quickly unrolled the parchment and began to quickly scan the letter, her brow furrowing even further as she went along.

The letter now hung limply between her finger tips, glancing quickly around her room and then back down at the letter. She snapped her fingers and the parchment quickly disintegrated into nothing more than a bit of ash. Then with a quick change of clothing, Hermione grabbed her cloak and swiftly made her way out of her rooms and Gryffindor Tower, ignoring the few curious looks she received along the way.

It wasn’t long before she was standing in front of the familiar stone gargoyle. Surprisingly, the stone beast immediately shifted and the moving staircase gradually came into view. Not questioning her luck at having to guess what obtuse password the headmaster had set that particular day, she hopped up onto the stairs as they made their ascent up to the office. Deciding not to bother with knocking, Hermione swiftly made her way inside the office but her steps faltered when she caught sight of the headmaster smiling serenely in front of a very stoic-looking potions professor.

“Ah, good morning Hermione – are you alright?” he asked suddenly, taking in her bedraggled appearance; Hermione’s bushy hair was hastily pulled back into a loose ponytail and she was dressed in a pair of Muggle jeans that had seen better days, a jumper that was two sizes too large for her rather small frame was partially hidden beneath her cloak, and a pair of ratty looking trainers.

“Uh… I’m fine, it’s just your letter… well it was rather mysterious and with Fawkes. Well with Fawkes delivering it… I guess I apparently jumped to the wrong conclusions,” she said sounding rather bewildered.

“Oh forgive me, my dear girl. It’s just that it is rather early and, well, as quiet and discreet house-elves can be they are not apt at waking one gently. I thought Fawkes would be a bit more pleasant at such an early hour. I promise you there is nothing for you to worry about. Now, come sit; there is much to discuss.”

Nodding absently at the still smiling headmaster, Hermione couldn’t help but cast a nervous glance toward the still very silent and stoic potions master as she went to take the seat beside him in front of Dumbledore’s desk.

“Now as I was saying, Professor Snape and I have a lot we would like to talk to you about. I’m sure as you know with the rather abrupt, but very welcoming end to the conflict with Voldemort a lot of things were left… unfinished so to speak. Professor Snape has been working to tie up these loose ends. However, with a full schedule here at Hogwarts and now this project, I thought it would be beneficially for him to have something akin to an… assistant as it were. I was hoping that you would be interested in the job.” Albus explained.

“Oh sir, thank you! I did enjoy working with The Order; I would love to help Professor Snape in anyway that I can –”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself child. You would be merely assisting me with the younger years and producing rather basic but needed medicinal potions for the Hospital Wing. Nothing of great importance, I assure you of that.” Severus finished with a slight sneer.

Despite the potion master’s obvious distaste at having the young witch as his assistant, Hermione was practically bouncing in her seat at the idea. This was just the distraction that she has been searching for. Ever since the falling out with the boys just a week ago, she has immersed herself in schoolwork. Normally, she was ahead in lessons by at least a month possibly even two but because of this week alone, Hermione was now almost three – though probably very close to four – months ahead in her work.

Albus couldn’t help but smile happily at the girl, thrilled that now she had something much more positive to focus her energies on. However, as his gaze slid over to a now very sour looking Severus, he had to force back a chuckle. To anyone else, Severus Snape looked just as uninterested as ever, a slight sneer curling on his lip. Although, Albus wasn’t just anyone and judging by the slight curve of the potion master’s shoulders, the barely noticeable tick in the dark man’s cheek and the twitching of his brow it was clear that Severus Snape, potions master was torn between throwing a temper tantrum or just plain pouting.

However, after numerous years of working for the rather eccentric Hogwarts Headmaster, Severs knew that neither would do him any good.

“Be that as it may, Severus. I’m sure Hermione’s assistance with even the little things will be quite beneficial in the long run. During these sessions try and think of one another as colleagues.” Albus said, tossing a small smile Hermione’s way.

Rolling his eyes heavenward, Severus could only pray to whatever deity that would listen to give him the strength to deal with meddling headmasters, before turning toward Hermione.

“You will begin your work with me today. Madam Pomfrey has found herself rather low on boil cure, pepper up and other various potions including a few mild sleeping draughts. There are also a number of first and second year exams that need to be sorted through. You will take lunch in the great hall today, that way once we are both finished we can get directly to work. We will work up until dinner and once again you will dine in the hall, after dinner we will work up until ten minutes before curfew. That should be ample amount of time for you to make it back to your dormitory… is that understood Miss Granger?”

“Yes sir,” Hermione nodded in response.

Satisfied, Severus nodded once in Hermione’s direction before turning toward the headmaster. Albus inclined his head in acknowledgement and with that the potions master was gone in a swirl of inky black robes.

Although absolutely delighted at the prospect of getting to work with Professor Snape, albeit under duress on his part, Hermione couldn’t help the feelings of nervousness that rose up and began to twist and turn in her belly. The idea of having to take not one but two meals in the great hall was a little more than disconcerting. Albus took note of how even though the young witch seemed to be besotted with the idea of working as Severus’s assistant, she also seemed to be quite nervous about something. He could only guess that it was the idea of having to dine in the hall with all the other students. Ever since last week she had been taking meals in her room, that was something Albus made absolute sure of. In the past, during times of stress Hermione had a habit of retreating to her rooms, however she was also found to not have been eating well either. After that the young witch was kept under very close watch.

“So my dear, how have you been fairing?” Albus asked.

“Much better thank you Headmaster. I… you were right. I did need a bit of time to myself. I’m feeling much better, more… clear headed about everything, and I feel more in control. My magic is also under control again.” Hermione said softly.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear that. Especially, since now you’ll be assisting Professor Snape, I trust that you will handle yourself just as you always have.”

“Oh of course sir,”

“Again, that is good to hear. Oh and since you will be returning to classes on Monday, you will also be put back on Prefect duty rotation. You will be able to attend tomorrow’s meeting in order to pick up your schedule.”

“Thank you headmaster,” Hermione smiled in response.

“You’re very welcome. Now that’s out of the way, I do have some other details to discuss with you. I’ve received a letter recently… from your parents,” the headmaster said softly.

“What about them? Is something wrong?”

“Ah, not as such, they were inquiring as to how you were doing. Apparently with the package they sent you last week, there was also a letter. They were hoping that you might consider spending the holidays at home this year. It seems they were hoping for a response...” Albus trailed off, the question in his voice clear.

“Oh well… I meant to respond but you see with everything that had happened, it just got away from me. I’ll write them within the next day or two. I didn’t mean to make them worry.” Hermione intoned softly.

“Nonsense, I’m sure they’ll understand and as for the holidays?” The headmaster asked.

“I… I don’t know yet. Can, can I think about it?” Hermione asked, a slight tremor coloring her voice.

“Of course, child, nothing need be decided this very moment. However, I would like it very much if you would write back indicating that you are well and in good health.”

“Yes sir,”

They then lapsed into a comfortable silence.

Albus leaned back into his chair and began to contemplate the young girl – no, young woman sitting in front of him. It was clear that she was slowly blossoming into a lovely and very intelligent young woman. He would be the first to admit that it was extremely disheartening to discover Mister Weasley’s lack of respect to not only his girlfriend but one of his very best friends and of course Mister Potter’s role in all of it. However, he couldn’t help but hope that though each would spread their wings and find their own way, that they may eventually find their way back to one another. A friendship such as theirs was a very rare and special gift, it would be a shame to see it extinguish after such a relatively short period of time.

Hermione too was lost in her own thoughts. Although, absolutely delighted at the idea of being able to assist Professor Snape and all that it entailed, she just couldn’t shake the nervousness that was crawling around deep in her belly. She had been avoiding the great hall almost over a week now and though it may not have been very Gryffindor-like, she just didn’t feel ready to face anyone in such a setting, let alone Ron and Harry. Depending on how the tale of her split with Ron was woven it could go one of two ways. She’d be bombarded with pitying looks and sympathetic, but probably empty, words or it could be accusatory sneers. In reality, she had no idea how she could come out the bad guy in this but Ron did have a knack at attempting to make sure that he was never the one to blame. She could only imagine the farfetched tale her ex-boyfriend possibly crafted for his mother when the time comes to reveal the split. Hermione wouldn’t be surprised in the least if a Howler from Mrs. Weasley ever did show up.

A humorless huff of laughter escaped Hermione’s lips at the thought. This in turn caught the headmaster attention, pulling both of them from their own personal musings.

“Thank you, sir for recommending me to help Professor Snape.”

“Of course, Hermione you deserve the position. However, I fear that I’ve dallied too long here as it is. I have a feeling I’m already going to be late for a meeting somewhere.” The headmaster said with a bit of mischievousness coloring his voice.

Hermione couldn’t help but giggle softly at the headmaster’s antics before she thanked him again for the position and made her way out of the office.

Being that it was still relatively early and a Saturday, the castle was quite quiet and for the most part the vast corridors were empty, with the exception of the occasional ghost. She made it back to her rooms with out incident and decided on a short nap before lunch. Sighing heavily, she easily slipped out of her clothing and back into her pajamas. Waking only a few short hours later, Hermione indulged in a bath before looking to get dressed. She quickly made the decision to wear her uniform and school robes instead of her Muggle trousers and top. Normally, wearing casual clothing was allowed on the weekends. However, the thought that Snape might not appreciate such informality crossed the young witch’s mind.

After dressing in her robes she began to work on the tangled mass of brown curls that was her hair. Professor Snape had mentioned brewing and even working with the simplest potions produced an exhaust which could do a number on ones hair if they were working with them long enough. Deciding in the end to pull it up and back into a simple twisted bun, she was pleased with the end result.

Jus as she was about to make her way out the door, Koki appeared. A bright smile graced the elf’s face as she balanced two silver trays.

“Good afternoon miss, Koki thinking you might be hungry. I is also bringing food for Master Crookshanks.” Koki stated proudly, her large ears wiggling excitedly. Not waiting for an answer she went about setting out Crookshanks lunch before turning to place the second larger tray on the desk in the corner.

“Oh Koki, this is so thoughtful of you. Thank you for bringing Crooks his lunch but I’m taking lunch in the Great Hall today.”

Koki’s ears immediately flattened against her head, her eyes growing wide and glossy with suppressed tears. How foolish she had been to assume her mistress would dine in her rooms. She should’ve known better, Koki was a very bad elf and needed to be punished.

“Oh mistress, please forgive Koki!” the little elf blurted out desperately.

“Koki, please calm down! There’s nothing to forgive, you didn’t know. I had been eating here all week. It was more than fair of you to assume I’d be dining here again.” Hermione explained soothingly.

“Then… mistress is not unhappy with Koki?” Koki asked her voice awash in suppressed tears.

“Not at all Koki, in fact I’d love to have what you prepared for me. Oh but to also let you know, I’ll be taking dinner there tonight as well.” Hermione said with a bright smile.

And just as soon as the dark cloud had appeared over the little elf, it lifted. Her ears perked up once more and wiggled happily. She practically bounced over to the tray and took it back into her hands.

“Koki will make sure this is the meal mistress receives in the hall. Koki promises!” With a slightly longing glance toward Crooks in the corner, the little elf was gone with a quiet snap. Hermione merely smiled to herself and called out to her familiar that she was headed out once more. Although, the half kneazle was too absorbed in his meal to even really notice.

Now, standing outside the vast double doors that lead into the great hall, Hermione’s confidence all but evaporated. This would be the first meal she’s taken there since breakfast on the Friday morning of the Halloween feast. Taking one last deep breath, she steeled herself as she made her way inside. Although, by now what occurred between Ron and her was old news she still was privy to a few sympathetic glances and curious looks as she made her way toward the Gryffindor table. A few snickers could be heard coming from the Slytherin table on the other side of the hall but that was nothing new and probably had absolutely nothing to do with her and Ron splitting up.

She quickly seated herself toward the very end of the table, closest to the doors and pointedly ignored the few people nearby. However, she couldn’t help but smile softly as the lunch that Koki had prepared for her shimmered into view. Glancing up at the head table it was clear that Professor Snape had just received his lunch as well, so there was no real reason to rush through her meal.

It wasn’t long before it was clear that Professor Snape was about finished with his meal. He soon made his way down from the head table and towards the large doors leading out into the corridor. He caught Hermione’s eye and nodded briefly in her direction, letting her know that he would wait for her just outside. Hermione nodded once in acknowledgement and quickly finished up her meal. She then too made her way out of the great hall and into the corridor. Once she reached his side, Severus merely grunted softly in response and swiftly turned to make his way toward the dungeons.

The walk into the bowels of the castle was a short but quiet one.

Severus swept into the classroom and headed toward the back, through a door that led to his office with a quiet Hermione following obediently behind him. Stopping beside his desk, he turned abruptly to face Hermione.

“The door behind me leads into my private labs. That is where we will be working most of the time; for your own safety you are not to touch anything unless you have my expressed permission to do so… is that understood?” Severus asked.

Hermione nodded eagerly in response.

Quirking a brow in response, the potions master decided to keep silent before turning to lead the young witch passed the rather heavy wooden double doors. The moment they both pass over the threshold, torches flared to life and dimly lit the once completely dark space. The small enclosure was in the shape of a half circle, the wall facing them was curved inwardly and ornately carved with what looked to be several serpents and an old family Wizarding crest. So taken with her surroundings, Hermione missed the whispered words that slipped passed her professor’s lips. Suddenly, a deep rumbling and soft groaning could be heard. The curved wall slowly began to shake and tremble before it split down the middle and pulled back to reveal the potions master’s lab. Hermione couldn’t help but take everything in with wide and curious eyes. The potions master’s lab was absolutely massive and much more elaborately equipped than the school’s basic lab; it also contained equipment of a much higher quality.

Knowing that Hermione would follow, Severus quickly strode into the lab and quickly but methodically went about checking on his current projects. The potions master was confident that while the young witch would explore the lab thoroughly she wouldn’t touch anything she wasn’t supposed to.

Still standing near the doors, Hermione slowly began to take in the room as a whole. It was clear that though it was naturally large in size, although a spell was in place in certain areas to make the area larger than it naturally was.

To her right, near the front of the large room were two glass enclosures, one clearly a temperature controlled ingredient storage unit and the other contained completed potions. Toward the back of the room on the right, just beside the completed storage, there was another glass enclosure. It was clear that particular was the actual lab. Numerous projects bubbled and percolated at different stations and the sound of running water could be heard throughout the entire room. Toward the very back of the lab running the length of the room was a large but breathtaking garden behind a rather thick glass enclosure. Upon closer inspection, the young witch was able to make out the fluttering wings of a few fairies.

Finally in the middle of the room was a large sunken area, there were two sets of steps that lead down into the area, one adjacent to the other. The high walls of the area were covered with rows and rows of books. Two large library style tables sat opposite one another on either side. And in the center there were two large sofas with a low table in between them. A plush carpet beneath it all, the area was actually quite cozy looking. It was a sharp contrast to the clinical feel of the rest of the lab.

“Professor,” Hermione called out softly, after having taken in the lab.

Severus looked up from one of the cauldrons bubbling away at a brewing station, before making his way back over to Hermione.

“Allow me to provide you with a brief overview of the lab. To your right within the lab are various brewing stations where you will be spending most of your time. Running the length of the back wall is the garden enclosure. There are two entrances one within the main room and the other is through the lab. The garden itself is split into various sections; you are allowed to enter the first section of the garden only. That is where relatively harmless plants and various aquatic life are kept. However, you are not to go any further, the rest of the enclosure is not that safe.” Severus finished solemnly.

“Sir, why are there so many habitat enclosures?” Hermione asked curiously.

Severus looked at the young witch curiously a moment before answering.

“Original potions don’t just materialize, there is always a time of trial and error. Someone must develop them. It’s always better when using test subjects to have them be as healthy and happy as possible. It can affect the results otherwise. Proper habitat enclosures ensure a healthy subject.” Severus explained simply.

Hermione merely nodded silently in agreement. It was true after all. Many Muggle scientists used various animals in experiments and those with proper habitats seemed to have better or at least different results than those that were forced into sterile cages or anything other than their natural environments.

Severus couldn’t help but eye Hermione curiously. He in reality knew nothing about the witch standing in front of him, except that she was absolutely brilliant. Not that he’d ever admit it out loud but the girl picked up on things so quickly and what made her even more remarkable was that she wasn’t raised in a magical home. Again, Severus couldn’t help but scowl at his current thoughts. His mind had been turning toward the witch more and more as time went on. It was becoming a bit disconcerting. He was never one to concern himself with his students, so why now all of a sudden?

“There’s a stack of first year essays for you to go through. I expect you to not play favorites or go easy on any of them. It was to be six inches on boil cure potion. I suggest you get started, they all need to be marked and graded before it’s time for dinner.”

With that Severus made his way back over to the laboratory enclosure. It was clear that there was a large ongoing project happening there. Sighing softly, Hermione made her way over to the large sunken area in the middle of the room. It was there she found the stack of essays waiting for her, alongside a quill and a rather large pot of red ink.

‘Best get cracking’ she thought.

The next few hours passed in a surprisingly companionable silence. It was about an hour before they were due back up at the great hall for dinner that Hermione finished up marking the last of the essays. Her fingers ached and were now stained a dark red, the young witch could only shake her head in disbelief and push the last of the essays away toward the other end of the table with a look of disgust. Out of the one-hundred first year essays that were there, only about half actually managed to make it the actual six inches. Others thought to try and get away with enlarging their hand writing in order to fill the prescribed amount, others thought to charm the paper to look the correct length but in reality it was just a poor glamour. Then of course there were those that had filled the six inches but had filled it with nothing but gibberish nonsense. All in all, there was only about a quarter of the class that actually produced a half way decent essay.

‘No wonder Professor Snape is always so sour all the time. I don’t think I could manage it. Teaching the material and basically handing over all the information to them only to see that they’ve basically hadn’t taken in one thing said to them.’ Hermione thought silently.

“Miss Granger, I trust you aren’t falling behind in your duties already.”

Blinking in surprise, Hermione looked up toward the voice coming from just above her. Shaking her head as if to help clear her muddled thoughts she shook her head in negation before responding.

“Oh not at all sir, in fact I just finished with the first year essays. Is there anything else that you need to me go through for you?” She asked expectantly.

“No, not at this time although I suggest you return to Gryffindor Tower before attending dinner. Afterward we will return here and you can begin brewing a base for some pepper-up for the hospital wing before retiring for the evening.”

Nodding in agreement, Hermione gathered herself together and followed Severus back toward the main entrance of the lab. The two exited together and soon went their separate ways.

Severus used the walk to the great hall to contemplate the young Gryffindor who had just spent almost a good three hours in his lab and didn’t even attempt to ask him one question. Although it was quite obvious Hermione was absolutely bursting at the seams to ask him about everything and anything, she had restrained herself.

He was impressed… to say the least.

Perhaps being colleagues wouldn’t be so bad after all.

End of Chapter Eleven

Author Note: Wow so talk about a major hiatus. To those of you who have been nice about real life coming first, I thank you. To the others well… no comment lol.

Next: Hermione and Severus have a chat and we dive a little deeper into Wizarding Society…
- 10
- 11
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Broken Enigma