Their days passed rather uneventfully and soon it was Friday, Hermione was a tad bit apprehensive because all of the Gryffindors had told her terrible things about Potions, particularly the Professor showing favouritism towards his own house while punishing unfairly theirs, what is more, Harry could not debunk any rumors because he had limited interactions with Professor Snape, and all of them had been in the presence of Dumbledore and McGonagall.

Harry though, had another reason to be apprehensive. Dumbledore had confided in Harry as to Snape's role in Voldemort's attack but had assured him that Snape was his spy. Harry wasn't so sure but was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

After breakfast, Harry and Hermione were standing outside the potions lab twenty minutes before class started, soon the Slytherins arrived, among them, Draco Malfoy, who was trying, and failing, to provoke Harry through his father. Eventually, though, Harry had enough, "Mr Malfoy, if you must continue to bring up my father, then, considering that he died saving his family, I'm sure he would be pleased to know that he is not forgotten."

Not being the response Draco was expecting left him floundering, then Harry quickly defanged him, "Oh, and I don't care about your idle threats about 'when your father hears of this' because one day, your father will be unable to do anything about it."

Just when Draco was about to retort, Professor Snape walked by, "Mr Potter, causing trouble already?"

Harry shook his head, "Of course not sir, I was just explaining to Mr Malfoy that my father probably would appreciate knowing that his name was still being uttered almost ten years after his death."

Professor Snape said nothing, but Hermione didn't miss his eye twitching. Entering the room, everyone took seats almost according to house lines, with Hermione and Harry being the exception, choosing to sit front and centre, between the Slytherins and Gryffindors. After everyone had taken a seat, Professor Snape spoke, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." it was then that he turned to Hermione, "Miss Granger, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Hermione quickly responded, "The Draught of Living Death, Professor,"

Instead of going to another person, Snape pressed on, "Where would I find a bezoar?"

"In a goat's stomach, sir," she replied.

"What's the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" he asked.

Hermione blinked, Harry knew it wasn't in the book, it wouldn't be in their next one either. Hermione finally said, "I don't know sir."

Snape smirked, "Tut, that will be five points from Gryffindor; there is no difference,"

Harry glared at him and he noticed, "Five as well Mr Potter,"

Harry had enough, "Aconite won't even be used until our third year, as such, how do you expect anyone to know, I only knew because I've lived here most of my life," Harry then saw Hermione's downcast face and made his decision, "Come on Hermione, I'll speak with the Headmaster about the process for getting a tutor for this class."

Not waiting around, Hermione grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room. Harry then left Snape spluttering in the classroom and joined Hermione in the hall. Soon, they were in the Headmaster's office and Harry was telling Dumbledore about what Snape did. Dumbledore stroked his beard, contemplating before speaking, "I too have heard the rumors regarding Severus, unfortunately, the Governors must reach a consensus in order to get his termination, and, with Fudge being the Minister and Malfoy lining his pockets, it will be next to impossible to do so," he then paused and looked at Hermione and saw the face of terror she had, Harry noticed it too and took her hand, a brief smile came across Albus' face before he became serious again, "I assume you'll want to be tutored for potions as long as Severus remains? And for Miss Granger to join you?"

Harry nodded, "Yes to both of those," then he thought for a moment, before asking, "do you think he will make life harder for the Gryffindors now that I've publicly said that I don't think his class is good enough so I'm getting a tutor?"

Albus rubbed his brow, "I'm not sure, I thought he had chosen redemption when he agreed to be my spy during the War, but now, I'm not so sure."

Harry scowled, "Considering his attitude towards me, I'd be willing to bet that he chose to jump ship and join the 'winning' side whilst only serving himself."

Albus nodded, "Yes, but it also makes me wonder," he paused to collect his thoughts before turning to Hermione, "Miss Granger, I would like to speak with Harry in private..." he began.

Harry though, had other ideas, "Uncle Albus, there are no secrets between us, so anything you tell me, I'll tell her."

This time, the smile that came across Albus' face stayed in place a lot longer, "Very well then," he said before growing very serious again, "Sirius Black was thought to have betrayed you and your parents to Voldemort, and while I didn't fully believe it, Severus 'confirmed' it. Now, I wonder if he really is guilty or not."

Hermione was puzzled, "Sir, why did you not fully believe Mr Black betrayed the Potters?"

"Because, Miss Granger, Sirius and James were brothers in all but blood," Albus replied before a smirk settled on his face, "They were both pranksters of extreme skill, so much so that I think the Weasley Twins idolize them."

Harry thought for a moment, then his said, "I'd like to speak with him," when Albus looked to object, Harry continued, "I see it two ways, if he did betray my parents, then I can ask him why when as you said, my father and him were brothers in all but blood, and , if he didn't betray my parents, then I can help ensure his release," he then smirked, "After all, I don't see the Ministry failing to do a request that came from 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' now would they?"

Albus smirked, "No they wouldn't, would they," he then stood, "I'll make the arrangments and clear it with Minerva, you two enjoy the rest of your Friday."

Harry and Hermione left his office and Albus looked at the Sorting Hat, "It's Hermione Granger, isn't it?"

Fergus chuckled, "Yes indeed, I could sense it when they reached the castle walls on Sunday. They were made for each other," Fergus then turned serious, "How goes the search for the Horcruxes of Voldemort?"

Albus frowned, "Not as well as I'd hope, with the Goblins taking care of Harry and one they found in the Lestrange vault, they estimate that there are five more to destroy, I've pointed them in the direction of Little Hangleton in the hopes that he may have left one or more in his hometown, but they've only just started, saying that clearing their vaults took a lot longer than they expected."

Fergus nodded, "Considering that Hufflepuff's Cup was used, we should consider the possibility that other Founders' Items could have been used."

Albus nodded, "He wouldn't have gone anywhere near anything from Gryffindor, his hatred was that strong, so that leaves Slytherin and Ravenclaw, but what could it be?"

While Fergus and Albus continued to ponder the Horcrux question, Harry was taking Hermione to a Friday tradition of his, Tea with Hagrid. Harry was telling her about his early days of doing this, "Hagrid makes good tea, but after a while, I suggested to him that he should take lessons with the Elves to improve his baking since his cakes were as hard as rocks,"

"Aye, and a good thing too, I tried one of me own and it was awful, how you still have teeth Harry is amazing," Hagrid said from his hut.

Harry just smiled, "Hello Hagrid, I hope you don't mind that I've brought Hermione along? I was with Uncle Albus discussing getting her and I tutored for potions, so I thought that we could use the company."

Hagrid waved him off, "Tis quite alright Harry, I'll just get an extra cup from the cupboard," he then led them into his hut, he then turned to Harry, "Decided that Severus was a right git then?"

Harry grimaced, "Not to me, but to Hermione, he took points for her not be able to answer a question that most third years would struggle with, after getting the first two he asked right."

Hagrid turned to Hermione, who had looked down in shame, "Ah do not worry yourself about Severus, Hermione, he's always harshest on Gryffindors and he's probably annoyed that the fact that you're a lot like Harry's Mum from what I hear."

Harry perked up at that, "Really?"

"Oh yes, your mum was a muggle-born genius, picked up spells quickly and more powerful than most, if not all of her yearmates, even the ones a few years above her picked up a thing or two from her. I think that was something that attracted James to her."

They continued to talk about Harry's folks until it was time to head in. As they did so, Hagrid noticed Harry and Hermione holding hands and walking close to each other. He smiled, knowing that, sooner or later, one or both would notice how close they were and take the next step.

Chapter Four done! I wanted to get this done and uploaded today since it is my first anniversary writing on this site, exactly one year ago today, I published the first chapter of When Jedi Love,

Review answering time, kpop1392as brings up two good points: 1) Would Hermione's parents ever move out without her? To that, I direct you to robst's Proud Parents fic, a currently WIP fic where after a meeting with her parents, Harry and Hermione leave for Italy and leave her parents in Britain, even though it gets resolved in a later chapter. 2) What is Hermione's Animagus form? Well, there is a trope in Harry Potter Fics to have Soulmates have similar Animagus/ Patronus Forms and I'm deciding whether or not to use that. Proganthony askes about Luna Lovegood, and all I can say is that Luna will be better taken care of than in canon.