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Master of the Senses	By : shsa0702 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 29781 -:- Recommendations : 5 -:- Currently Reading : 11
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the affiliated characters. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Hermione stepped onto the stone staircase which immediately began its ascent towards the Headmistress' office. After her encounter with Snape, Hermione had a strange sense of nervousness that she now couldn't seem to shake. The stone came to a grinding halt in front of the oaken double doors, and Hermione took a moment here to compose herself before she knocked.

She heard the firm voice of McGonagall call out 'come in' before Hermione pushed open the heavy doors. She was met with the familiar circular room that belonged at one time or another to each of the school Heads, and Hermione tried to push back the thought in her head that at one time it had even belonged to Snape.

Looking around now it was easy to see how each Headmaster, or in this case Headmistress, gave the room its own personal touch. Gone were the whirring silver instruments that gave home to the tables, the glass dishes of candies placed randomly at the previous Headmaster's whim. Instead they were replaced by mountains of books, a collection of fine silver bowls, platters, and cutlery; one table even housed a platter of butter biscuits, along with a silver tin which Hermione assumed held more of the same.

Off to the side, ironically in the same place that Dumbledore's previous pet bird Fawkes used to reside, now stood a large metal cage with a variety of tropical plants, some fruit, and a very colorful Hornbill which Hermione recognized from her second year in Transfiguration at Hogwarts. Hermione drew her gaze to the woman behind the desk which was seated in the middle of the room, closest against to the furthest window from the set of doors. Sitting behind the desk McGonagall was quite small in comparison to Dumbledore, but displayed the same level of composure. In fact, it seemed that what she lacked in size she made up for in her level of severity, and it was this gaze that Hermione met now.

"Hermione, please take a seat."

The Headmistress gestured towards the chair seated opposite her own and Hermione sat down cautiously, unsure of what to expect.

"Miss Granger, it is my understanding that you have elected to finish your Potions Apprenticeship with Professor Snape?"

"Yes Headmistress, I was very fortunate to have him volunteer his time and experience on the behalf of my education."

Hermione was met with a questioning look.

"It can hardly be considered an act of volunteerism Miss Granger, you are indeed aware that the Potions Apothecary and Trade School pays a sum to the cooperating teacher for any of their apprentices?"

Here Hermione was taken aback, she had not in fact heard of this.

McGonagall continued. "There is no need to worry about this fee, it already taken out of your tuition. Anyhow, that information is usually kept strictly between the cooperating teacher and the trade school.”

Hermione breathed out a sigh of relief; after the debacle with Slughorn she wasn’t sure if she could handle anymore unexpected surprises concerning her upcoming practicum.

“I’ve also taken the liberty of placing your current residence down in the dungeons, although I’m sure you recall that from my letter. After we are finished here, I would be more than happy to escort you and your belongings down.”

“My belongings have already made their way down,” Hermione said sheepishly, “Professor Snape and I -erm, met on my way into the castle and he elected to bring my things down for me.”

McGonagall’s face took on a rather surprised look. “Well that was very kind of him. Let’s hope for your sake his sense of chivalry lasts throughout the next 10 weeks.”

“Now,” she continued brusquely, “you will find things have remained much the same here at Hogwarts. Of course, many of the Professors choose to vacation during the summer months, but I’m sure you’ll see them occasionally. Feel free of course to visit the kitchens whenever you are hungry, otherwise you need only request your meals in your rooms and they shall be provided. Otherwise you are permitted to use any resource of the castle or grounds as you wish.”

“Thank you, Professor, I really can’t express my gratitude for allowing me to stay here and continue my education.”

It was here that Hermione was awarded one of McGonagall’s rare smiles.

“Really Miss Granger, the pleasure is ours. It’s good to have you back.”

~~~

Hermione spent the evening unpacking her things in her new quarters, and was quite surprised at the luxury she was afforded. In addition to the main living quarters, Hermione had her own study along with a standard bedroom, modest bathroom, and small kitchenette. Compared to her dormitory at the Trade School, this was more space than she ever could have hoped for.

Since the largest number of things to unpack included books, it seemed that Hermione was finished in no time. She tried to settle down with a book in front of the fireplace, but found that she just couldn’t focus. Being back in the castle gave her a sense of uncontained excitement that she hadn’t felt since she heard that she had been accepted into her Potions Apprenticeship.

Putting down her book, she walked over to retrieve her traveling cloak and wand. Perhaps she could find a more suitable place to read as well as get out some of her energy at the same time. Picking up her book once more as she readied to leave, she placed a water-repellent charm on it before making her way out towards the grounds. Once outside, she was glad to have remembered her cloak as the temperature only served to drop even further and there was a light mist still falling upon the castle. There seemed to be only a few hours left of daylight, but it was hard to determine with the grey overcast; Hermione however didn’t mind.

She made her way along the path, breathing in the earthy smell and fresh rain. Eventually, she found herself next to the Great Lake, and settled herself down next to one of the large willows to read. Hermione took off her cloak and smoothed it upon the ground next to the trunk, even though the grass was surprisingly dry underneath. It was strange how the fresh air and change of environment gave her a renewed sense of focus. She cracked open her book, and with a fresh determination became lost within its pages.

“Strange weather to find yourself outside, isn’t it Miss Granger?”

Hermione jumped at the sudden intrusion, nearly dropping her book and losing the page she was on. She turned around to find for the second time that day none other than Severus Snape lurking behind her, this time walking around the trunk of the willow to stand before her.

“Erm, I suppose so. I just found it hard to focus in the dungeons, so I thought I might find a different location to read.”

Snape’s expression remained impassive, but as he caught sight of the cover of her book, a faint smirk ghosted across his face.

“Magical Botanical Mysteries? Not something you generally find one toting around for a bit of light reading. A gift from Longbottom perhaps?”

Hermione flushed a bit at the association of her former classmate. “No actually, I figured that a strong knowledge of all plants, trees, and fungi allow me a better sense of how they are utilized in brewing. I actually find this edition quite interesting as they’ve added the unconventional use of the Venomous Tentacular as a weapon, which was not actually seen until the Battle of Hogwarts.”

“And is the knowledge of using potions materials as weapons something you see as useful in the upcoming weeks?” Snape inquired, raising an eyebrow at her and turning his head ever so slightly.

Hermione cast her eyes downward, feeling embarrassed. “Of course not sir, I just thought the usage was interesting is all. I’m sure I’ll be in the most capable and safest of hands.”

Why does he always find a way to twist what I’m saying and make it sound absolutely ridiculous?

There was a rustle of her cloak, and suddenly Hermione felt one long finger on the underside of her chin. Snape tilted her head slightly upward so that she was met with his intense onyx gaze as he knelt down in front of her.

“I can guarantee Miss Granger that you will indeed. However you may also find that some of my teaching methods are a bit…unconventional, much like your Tentacula. You will do well to remember that you are no longer a Hogwarts student, but rather an apprentice under my own particular curriculum.”

With that, he withdrew his hand and stood. The place where his finger had touched felt electric, and Hermione couldn’t help but reach up to lightly stroke where it had rested.

“Enjoy your reading Miss Granger. Perhaps next time you would remember to bring an extra cloak in addition to the one you are currently using as a blanket so you do not catch cold. Missing your lessons for something so avoidable is not a manner I take lightly.”

Hermione let out a breath she did not realize she had been holding as he turned and walked away. In all of her lifetime, she could not once ever remember coming into contact with Snape. She wasn’t sure if the light crackle of energy on the spot where they had connected was from an intense level of magic or something else entirely.

~~~

The rest of the weekend passed by rather uneventfully. Hermione did not see anymore of Snape in the next three days, but on Sunday night she did find a scrap of parchment waiting for her upon her desk in her study.

Meet in the potions classroom tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock sharp.

There was no signature following his sharp, elegant writing, but Hermione didn’t need one to know who it was from. Seeing it gave her a sense of apprehension about what her first lesson would bring, and Hermione was right in her assumption.

After eating a light breakfast of toast and tea in her living quarters, Hermione felt a familiar sense of foreboding as she made her way towards her old classroom. Upon entering, she found that Snape was already there along with three softly simmering cauldrons sitting at the front of the room, each on it’s own separate table. However, before she even had a chance to give any of them further inspection Snape met her halfway through the classroom. He gestured for her to sit at one of the desks.

“Miss Granger, prompt as always.” He was dressed in his traditional teaching robes, tight fitting with a hint of a white Oxford peeking out near the wrist. Hermione’s mind flashed back to her first year at Hogwarts, how this had felt much in the same. However there was a small part in the back of Hermione’s mind that also screamed this was entirely different.

“Good Morning Professor Snape.”

Her voice sounded breathy and unsure, and she cursed herself inwardly.

“From this point forward you will refer to me as Master Snape or ‘sir’ while we are in this classroom. You are no longer my student at Hogwarts, and even though this happens to be the location of your practicum the titles no longer apply. Instead you can address me by my proper title in the field of mastery which you are attempting to attain or at least with the proper level of respect.”

“Yes, Master Snape.” Hermione felt a small thrill run through her. It was a small wonder what the title one addressed a person with could do.

“As such, you will find that my teaching methods are not similar to what you have witnessed during your years here at Hogwarts. I am assuming you are here because you have progressed further than wishing to learn the very basics, and have instead adopted a proper appreciation of the art that is potion making.”

“Yes, Master Snape. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn under your expertise.”

There was a moment of silence, before Snape resumed. This time he began to make his way around the desk, making Hermione feel very much like an animal of prey being circled before the kill.

“Whether your attempt is to flatter me or not is irrelevant, however regardless of your intention you will do well to remember that it will not gain you favoritism in this classroom. I am here to teach you the intricacies that is potion making; not only the theory behind it but also a more…well rounded approach. Before your time is finished here with me you will have a better, shall we say, sense of the art that is potion making altogether.”

Hermione was unsure of what to say; she was under the impression that she was here solely to further her practice in the actual art of brewing and application. Now she wasn’t sure what to expect altogether.

Snape finally made his way to stand in front of her once more, and met her gaze.

“Tell me Miss Granger, why is it exactly you wanted to master in the subject of Potions?”

Hermione felt her heart skip a beat as the real answer lurked beneath her lips, but she instead answered with, at least what she believed, to be a half truth.

“The older I’ve gotten the more I realized how many different skill sets Potion making really encompasses. Each of the other subjects seems to afford itself dedication to one or two particular areas; wand work perhaps or knowledge of history and lore. Potions seems to have so many different areas to be work within, not only does it require on occasion require wand work but also a vast knowledge of ingredient identification and preparation. It also requires a steady hand as well as knowledge of practice and theory. In fact I can’t think of a single other subject that requires such a vast knowledge on the wide variety of sub-content areas.”

As Hermione spoke she felt the original enthusiasm that first drew her towards the subject mount. It was through this that she let her guard down and before she could realize what she was saying she let slip from her mouth with a small giggle, “Unless of course you count Divination when considering the wide variety of subject areas.”

Snape gave her a look and after a moment said, “You are indeed correct about the considerable amount of talent it takes to earn become proficient in potions, in addition Potion making requires a certain level of…passion to indeed gain the level of mastery. However, if you ever compare Potions to Divination again I will end your future in Potion making before it ever begins.”

Hermione swallowed dryly, regretting her earlier statement that now seemed to have a permanent placeholder as her first impression. Snape was so difficult to read, and as such she was unsure the level of seriousness with which to take his threat. However she was definitely not ready to test it, so instead she simply replied, “Yes Master Snape, I apologize.”

Her gave her one more glaring look before he turned on his heel to face the three cauldrons at the front of the room, each with a small fire lit underneath and partially blocked by Snape’s imposing figure.

“Today Miss Granger we are going to test your listening skills. Let’s see just how ready you are to receive instruction.”

Hermione brightened at this; taking in information auditorily was always a strong suit for her. Many students struggled with information when delivered lecture style, but Hermione always found great excitement in listening to someone speak about a subject they were passionate about. She was sure she wouldn’t have any problem with this lesson.

“I’m ready to listen Master Snape.”

Hermione saw him smirk as he turned back towards her, a black slip of cloth in his hand.

“For your sake Miss Granger I sure hope you are. However, I think the real question here Miss Granger is, do you trust me?”

He held up the blindfold, and Hermione felt a look of confusion flit across her face. She eyed him and the cloth warily in turn before replying in a shaky but firm tone, “Yes.”

“Good. If there is no sense of trust in this classroom there is no point to you being here. To begin we need to make sure your other senses don’t…get in the way. You will be working on identifying these three potions we have here.” Snape gestured towards the front of the room. “You will do this using solely the sense of sound. I have cast a concealment charm upon each of the cauldrons, thus containing the smell of each as well as any wafting vapors. I cannot however cast any charm to contain your sense of sight.”

It was here that he held up the blindfold. “Thus the need for this. I will blindfold you and lead you over to each cauldron. Once there we will let the learning commence.”

Hermione was absolutely perplexed, how on earth was she going to identify each potion if she couldn’t see, smell, taste, or touch it?

Snape circled around behind her once more, and before she could anticipate it the black slip of cloth was placed over her eyes. Reflexively she closed them, and Hermione could feel the cloth tighten as Snape tied it securely behind her head. Her world went dark, and Hermione immediately gained some semblance of what Snape was saying. After she lost the ability for one of her senses, it seemed like everything else was heightened.

Suddenly she felt a gentle touch on her arm, and she couldn’t stop herself from jumping lightly.

“Relax Miss Granger, and take my hand.”

Oh my goodness, how have I never notice how incredibly stimulating his voice is?

Hermione hesitated for the smallest fraction of a second before she held out her hand. This was unlike any lesson she had ever had before.

She felt Snape’s larger hand grasp hers with the familiar sense of electricity that she had experienced the week prior and willed herself not to jump again. His hand encompassed her and he led her up out of her chair.

“Come with me, and remember trust is of the utmost importance.”

“Y-yes, Master Snape.”

He led her slowly through the tables, making their way towards the front of the room. Hermione couldn’t help herself as she reached out with her other hand, anticipating coming into contact with one of the many desks or chairs around them. They made their way towards the front unscathed, and Hermione’s hand was finally met with the table holding the first potion.

Snape let go of her hand, and she felt a temporary moment of vulnerability in her spatial awareness.

“Now Miss Granger, I want you to focus your sense of hearing. Tell me, what can you hear?”

There was a moment of silence that hung in the air after Snape finished his verbal instruction, and suddenly Hermione could hear the sounds in front of her clear as day. In fact, she had never realized just how loud of a sound a singular potion could produce at this proximity.

“I hear it bubbling sir.” She paused. “I can also hear the crackling of the fire beneath the cauldron.”

“Very good Miss Granger. Now let’s go a little more in depth and focus on the sound of the liquid. Envision it’s viscosity, what do you see in your mind’s eye?”

Hermione focused and attempted to cancel out the crackling of the fire as well as attempt to ignore the distraction of Snape’s voice. A vision bloomed before her; the bubbling was slower as if the liquid was thick. Each bubble let out a small whisper of steam as it popped within the cauldron; they were slow to rise.

“I-it’s thick.” Hermione began slowly. “It has a heavier substance to it.”

“Now Miss Granger, if you had to determine the identity of this potion, would you say that it is a Shrinking Solution or Polyjuice Potion?”

Hermione grinned as natural instinct took over and she felt the answer bubble up inside of her. “Polyjuice Potion.”

“That is correct Miss Granger, what about the sound gave it away?”

Hermione reached up and took her blindfold off, even though there was no need at this point. It was like she could already see it in her mind’s eye.

“The sound was heavy, and the speed with which it boiled was slow due to it’s increased density.”

Snape gestured toward the next table. “Replace your blindfold, and we shall continue.”

Hermione eagerly placed it back over her eyes, hurriedly retying it in the back. This was unlike any method of learning she had ever before experienced and she was keen to encounter more.

Snape took her hand once more and led her to the next table. Hermione was ready before they even arrived and was listening closely for any clues as to the identity for the contents of the next cauldron before her.

She began even before he had a chance to prompt her. “This one is thinner, it’s boiling much faster.”

“What else Miss Granger?”

Hermione stopped, and listened again. It was a longer amount of time before she spoke again. “This one has more bubbles in the amount of space allotted within the cauldron.”

“What does that tell you?”

“It needs a higher temperature, or perhaps it has the same temperature but a lower boiling point.”

“Both very astute observations. What else?”

Hermione listened for another solid two minutes. “The bubbles sound close to the middle of the cauldron, concentrated instead of even distribution.”

“Go on.”

“This means…this means that the temperature must be higher. It requires a hotter temperature than the last. The peak of the fire is at a higher elevation that the previous potion, perhaps even coming into contact with the bottom of the cauldron.”

“Now if you compare this to the last, which potion needs a higher brewing temperature than Polyjuice Potion? Is it an Invigoration Draught, Pepper-Up Potion, or a simple Acne Solution?

Hermione paused, going through the brewing process of each mentally. It was a solid 15 seconds before she replied with, “Pepper-Up Potion.”

“Does Invigoration Draught not require a higher temperature as well Miss Granger?”

She stopped, unsure of herself for a fraction of a second. “Yes, but the density doesn’t match. An Invigoration Draught wouldn’t boil quite as fast as Pepper-Up Potion.”

“Take off your blindfold Miss Granger.”

Hermione hesitated, feeling for the first time in a long time unsure of whether her answer would prove to be correct or not.

She was relieved when she was met with the familiar steam pattern of Pepper-Up Potion rising from the cauldron, proving that her observations were correct. She realized a second too late that her emotion must’ve shown on her face.

“You look relieved Miss Granger, were you not sure of the outcome?”

It was here that her expression turned to one of guilty self-consciousness.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. This feeling, the one you have right now, is how you truly learn when you’ve mastered all that books can teach you. This is what I have to offer you in the coming weeks. If you think you are up to the challenge, replace your blindfold and we will move on to the last table.”

Hermione seemed to feel a confusing sort of passion well up inside of her. On the one hand she felt shame and a slight frustration that the answers did not magically blossom before her at an instant’s notice as they always had in years prior. On the other she had not felt such a wonder and awe during her approach to learning since her first year at Hogwarts.

One thing she was certain of however; she did not come this far to turn back now. Resolutely, she placed the blindfold back over her eyes and secured it firmly.

She held out her hand once more, and this time she took more notice of the roughness of his hand as it grasped hers. The feeling was comforting and warm, but had a certain coarseness that hinted at his many years spent meticulously preparing ingredients while brewing. It was curious since Snape had not served as the resident Potion’s Master since the year prior to her seventh at Hogwarts.

He led her over to the last table, and Hermione again listened for anything that might give her a clue. She heard the telltale bubbling of the cauldron as she approached, and when she came to a halt in front of the table there was no need to express her intense concentration as she attempted to identify the third and final potion.

She listened for awhile, realizing with a sense of frustration that this one sounded nearly identical to the last.

Surely he wouldn’t place the same potion twice in a row? Or…would he?

Hermione battled with herself internally on the likelihood of Snape placing a trick question within her first lesson. She got so lost in her thoughts that she startled when Snape finally declared softly, “Well Miss Granger?”

“I’m…I’m not entirely sure. This one is also boiling quite rapidly. The bubbles seem concentrated, much like the last cauldron.”

“Well what do you think?”

“It’s not Pepper-Up again is it?” Hermione felt foolish even asking, but she had to know.

“You tell me Miss Granger.”

Hermione’s brow furrowed in frustration as well as a deeper sense of concentration.

“I don’t believe it is, but I have no idea what else it could be. Most completed solutions have a similar boiling point, but that is usually at a much lower temperature than this one appears to require. What are my choices?”

She heard Snape chuckle, which was a shocking sound.

“Your choices are to identify the Potion,” Snape’s voice now changed direction as if he had begun to circle around her much like in the beginning of the lesson. “Or simply to admit you may be in over your head.”

“No, I just…if I perhaps had a clue.” Hermione felt her exasperation rise. “Something other than just the sound. There are hundreds of different potions, how can I distinguish a singular one based on sound alone?”

Suddenly Hermione was aware of a very new sensation as Snape’s voice murmured in her ear, “Perhaps you need to think outside the box.”

Hermione felt her skin shiver with goosebumps.

Holy Merlin, how can I possibly focus now?

“Think Miss Granger, and take your time.”

She flushed as she felt the warmth of Snape’s breath, wondering just how close he was to her. A new sensation altogether blossomed in her nether regions as she pictured Snape hovering close enough to run his tongue against the outer shell of her ear and immediately pushed the thought away.

Focus Hermione!

But try as she might, her head was swimming with the thought of Snape’s smooth timbre resonating all the way down to a place that she was embarrassed to admit.

Think outside the box, think outside the box. Hermione snorted internally. That isn’t even correct since technically I should be thinking outside of the cauldron…

The cauldron!

Hermione strained to listen over the intense sounds coming from within the cauldron and attempted to hone her focus on the sound coming from below it. There! She caught the whispering crackle of the fire below, but it wasn’t quite the same as the other two cauldrons before.

There was a different quality to the sound of this one. The height of the crackling sounded different, almost as if the fire was contained by some sort of enchantment. The point of each flame sounded as though the energy went back within itself instead of flaring outward. She knew that sound, in fact she had conjured it herself many times…

“Bluebell flames.” She breathed the words out in an awed hush. It was so obvious now.

“Interesting declaration.” He was now so close to her Hermione could not help but give into the fire spreading throughout her body. Was this reaction from his voice or finding the correct answer?

Hermione couldn’t turn it off, couldn’t push pause as she let out a long, shaky breath in anticipation.

“If it is indeed what you believe, then tell me the identity of this potion Miss Granger.” His voice was almost a ghostly whisper, but Hermione was captivated by his every word.

She licked her lips as she replied in a similar manner of volume, “With a Bluebell flame, high boiling point, and low density the potion contained within this cauldron is Moonseed Poison.”

Hermione waited in the deafening silence, and finally she felt the charged contact of Snape’s hands gently resting on her shoulders. Slowly they moved upward and deftly untied the blindfold. As the black slip of cloth fell away Hermione couldn’t contain the grin of excitement that bloomed across her face.
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Master of the Senses