Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

I want to thank Bluefirefly5 and lejardine who worked hard to make this story a better one. This story is revised now (08/01/2014).

Chapter I. Leaving the fear behind

"Merlin..."

With a sigh, Hermione dropped the parchment that she had opened enthusiastically a few seconds ago. She had wanted to be alone to discover the news. Finally, she had done well. She had to get over the shock before announcing it to her parents. Eventually, Hermione picked up the parchment and reread it once more with great attentiveness.

"Dear Miss Hermione Granger,

First and foremost, we want to congratulate you on completing your first year of Potions with the Optimal mention. At the end of your first year, you are required to follow a practical education with a Master of Potions appointed by the Ministry. As you know, these Masters are distributed according to several Classes, and having achieved the best marks in your examinations, we appointed you the best-classified Master this year. You will thus follow your practical teachings together with Master Severus Snape, recently distinguished by the Order of Merlin. More information will be passed on to you the first day of your apprenticeship.

Yours faithfully,

The Ministry of Magic"

One year had passed since the end of the war. Not having received her NEWTs, Hermione had nevertheless managed to join a prestigious program of Advanced Potions, and had completed her first year easily. She couldn't say that it was her dream, far from it. A few years ago she had been fascinated by the study of Ancient Runes and envisioned a specialization in it once she had earned her diploma. However, she was not able to enlist into the program of Ancient Runes because she hadn't taken her NEWTs.

Minerva McGonagall had recommended she return to Hogwarts for a year to give her time to decide on her future afterward, but she hadn't wanted to envisage this option. She was already one year older than her classmates during her schooling, and didn't want to lose one more year. She had then turned to Potions, a noble subject but excessively demanding. She didn't feel that she had a "gift" for the subject, but she was contented with following the instructions, which she had read in books written by renowned authors, and it was enough to succeed.

But today, with the parchment, which determined the name of her future Master of Potions in front of her, Hermione could not refrain from feeling a twinge of fear. Severus Snape, her last six years at Hogwarts in his classes had taught her to know his character. Serious. Hard to please. She had certainly been afraid of him during those long years. He had been rehabilitated one year earlier, just after the end of the war, which had left him for dead. He had been found unconscious two days later in the Forbidden Forest, unable to give an explanation concerning his disapparition. Hermione always wondered how this cold and distant man had been able to survive the attack of Nagini, which she had witnessed first hand. The former Hogwarts professor never discussed it.

And now she was forced to study with him. Mentally, she admitted that she was lucky. Severus Snape had a brilliant mind, a Master capable of the best when he was surrounded with phials of all kinds. His talent was recognized by the whole profession, as well as worldwide. Hermione knew that she was fortunate to work alongside this monumental Potions Master. They would be required to work closely for a year, she thought while quickly reading the second parchment, attached to the first. She understood that she was going to have to live with the Master five days a week, weekends being free. An address was listed: Spinner's End. Hermione had heard Harry speak about it a long time ago. It was Snape's family house, previously left by Severus who had decided to live full-time at Hogwarts. She understood that he had repossessed the home, no longer teaching at the school.

It was this first year, which he agreed to take an apprentice under his wing, and it only added pressure onto the shoulders of the 20-year-old woman. She had nobody whom she could question about the apprenticeship; she would be the first one.

Hermione glanced at the calendar hung on the wall of her room. She just had three days before the beginning of her apprenticeship. She dropped onto her bed, wondering how the reunion with her former professor would go. Would he be cynical towards her, as usual?

She eventually got up, throwing her long brown hair into a messy bun before making her way to the lounge, the letter in the hand. Her parents waited at the bottom of the staircase, an impatient air surrounding them. Her mother joined her hands, as if in prayer, and sent her a shy smile.

"So? Did you get the good news you've been waiting for?"

The young woman looked between her father and her mother. Her father, Paul Granger, had always been proud of his daughter, during both good and bad times. He was always present to tell her how great she was, and that she had to fight to have what she wanted. His graying hair gave him a learned air, and the beginning of baldness did not deprive him of nothing of the typical English charm. By his side, her mother Jane Granger was dressed in a dress which she wore marvelously. Her hair, cut short, framed her fine face.

Hermione had spent the last year at her parents', returning every evening after her studies. She knew that it was going to be hard to leave them again. She was used to it after Hogwarts, but nevertheless, resuming these habits would be difficult for her. She stuck a slightly forced smile on her face, and eventually made her way down the staircase to meet them.

"They appointed me a very, very competent Master. I think that I'm satisfied with this choice."

Her mother embraced her, thrilled to see that her daughter was happy too, before realizing what she had just said.

"You think of merely being satisfied?" she said, slightly frowning.

"I already know my Master of Potions. He was a professor at Hogwarts when I studied there. I'd be lying if I told you that he is pleasant." Hermione said.

"There's no way to find another Master, darling?" her father asked.

"No." She sighed. "And even if it were possible, I think that it's an amazing opportunity that I'm being offered. To personally study under Severus Snape is more than I could hope for. He is clearly one of the better Masters, if not the best in his domain. Really, I could not be more delighted" she concluded with a smile.

Her parents relaxed after awhile and ushered Hermione into the kitchen for some tea.

"We have to celebrate then." Said her mother with a grin.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxX

Three days later

Hermione glanced nervously at her watch. Eight o'clock in the morning. The owl that she had received the day before insisted on punctuality. However, she had not needed to read the end of the parchment to know this: Severus Snape hated waiting. This is why she had woken up early to be perfectly on time for her meeting with the one with whom she was going to spend a whole year with. She had not brought her suitcases just as yet, expecting a presentation day more than a working one.

Arriving in front of the number 14, she took a deep breath. The garden, which was in front of the house, was in poor condition, and she wondered then if the inside of the house was the same. Certainly Severus Snape had not lived there for very many years, but she hoped that an effort had been made for her arrival. Just as this idea occurred to her, she laughed at herself. Severus Snape was not the kind to look after the arrival of his guests. The less people approached him, the better he was.

Hermione clutched her bag and began to walk the path, which led to the home of her Master of Potions. She was ready to bang on the heavy oak door when it suddenly opened. In front of her stood the most imposing man that she'd ever seen. Draped in his long black robes in spite of the beginning of September, stringy raven colored hair framing his face; he held the door with his left hand and observed her fixedly. Hermione swallowed with difficulty, and forced a strained smile to relax the heavy atmosphere, which had settled between them.

"Good morning, Profe..."

"Master Snape." he whispered. "And I shall ask you to show yourself punctual in the future, Ms. Granger."

Without another word to her, he walked away from the open door. Hermione remained motionless in the doorway for a few moments before Severus' voice brutally startled her.

"May I ask what you are waiting for? An invitation, perhaps?"

She entered quickly, closing the door behind her. Hermione had to blink several times to become used to the darkness, which reigned in the house. There were lights lit, certainly, but not as bright the sun outside. A look towards the windows gave her the answer to the lack of light, he kept the shutters half-closed.

Her hand clenched her leather bag harder and she noticed Severus a few feet away from her. He lasciviously sat in an armchair near a rickety bookcase, watching her. She could not distinguish his features due not only to the distance but also the lack of light, and she contented herself with waiting until he spoke. Being in the same room as her former professor had always been difficult for her but to be alone in his company was even more so.

"I see that the courage of Gryffindor is only a legend." he said, a cynical smile on his face.

Hermione said nothing. She knew perfectly well that he made that comment to test her, to learn her limits so he could break her. That was what Harry had told her when she had divulged the news to him. "Don't show him your weaknesses, Hermione, ever." Certainly, Severus Snape had been cleared of all suspicion concerning his past of being a Death Eater, which had been a necessity, but his behavior remained the same. He was as hostile as possible, and it wasn't going to change.

He eventually uncrossed his legs and leant forward, as to look at her better.

"Take a seat."

Hermione went then to the armchair, which was in front of him and sat down carefully. She put her hands on her legs and eventually spoke, having made sure that he didn't plan to speak also.

"It is an honor to be able to study by your side, and I ho..."

"None of that with me, Ms. Granger. Your position in this armchair shows me exactly to what extent my closeness bothers you." He said, a smirk taking shape on his face. "Am I wrong?"

The young woman felt her heart beating harder. He was so close, and she met his dark look, empty of any expression. She eventually chose to be honest, even if she regretted it as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

"You're right." she murmured. "If I had been able to make this decision, I would certainly have chosen another Master of Potions for my apprenticeship. But I think that I'm capable of putting my...antipathy towards you aside for a year if it results in an exemplary knowledge of the subject at the end of our... collaboration."

Severus Snape didn't answer at once, opting to stare at her instead. The tension was tangible between them, and he didn't know the reason of it. He knew her, and she also knew him, her words proof of that. He eventually moved back, squaring his shoulders in his armchair. He noticed that the young woman seemed relieved by this action and his eternal grin appeared once again.

"I see that you haven't changed, you seem to continue to deserve your nickname of Miss Know-It-All. However, do not mistake me. While my colleagues choose their assistants freely-I like calling them so because it is what you shall be doing, assisting me-the Ministry chose to bind us for a reason. I expect you not exploit anything regarding Potions, I know perfectly well that you are incapable of it." He said disdainfully.

"But I anticipate discipline and hard work from you... Am I clear, Ms. Granger?"

"And punctuality?"

Severus Snape squinted, probing her with his eyes. Hermione blamed herself for her arrogance, but wondered what would be his answer.

"Punctuality too... Miss." he murmured.

For reasons, which she ignored, his voice had an affect on her. She swallowed hard, and waited for him to start speaking again. Finally, Severus got up and in a whirling of robes, and strode to a door situated in a neighboring corridor. He was gripping the handle when he turned towards her. Hermione understood that she had to follow him, and got up quickly, her bag hitting the ground. She quickly bent down and collected it shamefully, before following him into his laboratory.

This would be the place where they were going to work together, and more...