Hello all! Welcome to the most elaborate story I've ever had the idea of writing.

So here goes. In this story, Hermione has graduated from Hogwarts and is attending University. She answers an ad in the Daily Prophet to be an assistant to Snape as he travels around the world collecting rare ingredients for potions. (Snape has survived the war in my story) and is back to teaching at Hogwarts.

Um, this story will be written in three different ways: 1. Basic writing 2. Hermione's journal entries and 3. Photos (you'll understand this more after the first chapter)

Please know that everything you recognize belongs to JKR and I just play with the characters that she so graciously shared with us all. I make no money from this, and only glean satisfaction from the reviews I get and the ideas that I write.

Will eventually be rated M for SS/HG pairing.

Okay, enough rambling…hope you enjoy!

February 27th

Dear journal,

The most extraordinary thing happened today! I was chosen for Professor Snape's Potion Collecting Sabbatical. As you know, I applied to be his assistant just before Christmas, and I just got the acceptance letter from Headmistress McGonagall today. I barely have time to write this down; I have so much to do to get ready. Minerva included a list of things to bring, and it's enormous! I am to meet The Headmistress and Professor Snape in the Great Hall at precisely nine in the morning on March 1st.

I must admit to being extremely excited and incredibly apprehensive. I haven't been back to Hogwarts in three years, and haven't seen Professor Snape since his hearing at the ministry. He wouldn't even look at me during the proceedings, so I must admit that I'm a bit surprised that I was chosen to be his assistant.

I am tremendously excited though; I mean what an opportunity! I have so much to learn, and from one of the smartest, most talented Potions Masters. I have to telephone mum and dad and let them know, and let Harry know that I won't be back to University for summer term. Oh my, there is so much to do. I'll write more down when I have a chance. Until then, journal.

Yours,

Hermione

When Professor Snape decided last year to go on sabbatical to collect potion ingredients, he regrettably admitted to himself that he would need an assistant. He wasn't getting any younger, and to collect the volume he wanted in the time allotted, he knew he couldn't do it alone, even with magic. So, after speaking with the headmaster about it, he decided to place an ad in the Daily Prophet. He was inundated with responses, and after nearly a month of weeding through countless applications from unqualified persons, he finally had his assistant, and he couldn't believe that it was Hermione Granger that was best suited for the job.

When he began to see the dunderheads that thought themselves qualified to accompany him for a yearlong sabbatical, he decided to go through the applications by removing the names, so he could judge the applicants on merit and talent alone. It didn't take long to find the one response that showed a qualified applicant, even by his standards. When he magiced the name back to the top, he nearly choked on the tea he had been drinking…Hermione Jean Granger.

He thought back the nearly four years since he'd seen her. It was when she testified on his behalf at his trial. It was mainly her and Harry's testimony that cleared Snape's name. After Voldemort's death and the downfall of the Death Eaters, Snape had healed from Nagini's bite and returned to Hogwarts as Potion's Master. Minerva welcomed him back with open arms, but many families and students still saw him as the evil dungeon bat of Hogwarts, a reputation that he fell back into with ease.

Now, four years later, with his supposed past behind him, horrible memories were being dredged up by the mere view of Miss Granger's name. How on earth was he to put up with her for a whole year, just the two of them? His stomach clenched at the thought, but at the same time he knew she was the best choice. With a sigh he got up from his desk to let Minerva know he'd made his decision.

Inventory of items for your apprenticeship:

Suitable clothing for hot & cold weather

13 small items of no value (these shall not be returned to you)

30 rolls of weather resistant parchment (quills and ink provided)

One pair of good walking / hiking shoes

Anti-nausea potion (a limited supply is provided)

Large duffel or pack to carry supplies and ingredients

Food rations sufficient for one month. Fresh food will be limited in some locations.

Personal comfort items (books, magazines) for downtime

Potion tool kit as sold in Potion's Monthly

** Please note, magic will not always be an option, so plan accordingly.

Certain muggle items including:

Flashlight

One box of matches

Muggle writing utensils and three notepads

Muggle money in the highest quantity you are able

Hermione read over the list several more times, checking to make sure that she had everything. She had charmed her handbag as she had when she and Ron and Harry were after the Horcruxes. Most of her things were in there, but she had a back pack as well that could hold many things when magic wasn't available.

She packed the small digital camera that her parents had gotten for her. She had no idea where she and Snape would be traveling, but was excited to document the trip for herself, her family and friends. With one final glance at the list, she folded it up and tucked it in her pack. Sliding the straps over her shoulders, she headed for the door of the flat she shared with Harry and Ginny. With a rush of excitement she closed the door behind her, heading for King's Cross Station.

As she stood in the masses of people waiting for their respective trains, she couldn't help snapping a photo of herself, giddy with excitement about the journey ahead. She wasn't planning on taking a train to Hogwarts, but she had decided to apparate from there to Hogsmeade. Though it was the beginning of March, the air was unseasonable warm, and Hermione had decided to wear a comfortable white t-shirt with a slightly preppy black vest over it, and blue jeans and sneakers. Finding a good spot in the station, she ducked into the shadows, and with a spin and a loud pop that was muffled in the din of commuters, she vanished.

As she made the familiar walk from the small wizard town up the hill to Hogwarts, she couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive. Though she was a grown woman of twenty one, she couldn't help but feel like a nervous school girl as the turrets of the castle came in to view. She took a deep breath and approached the large metal gate the surrounded the school. It was a relief to see it unlocked and standing open. This hadn't been done since before the first war.

She walked up the hill towards the entry, glancing at Hagrid's hut briefly. There was smoke coming from the chimney, but no sign of him or Fang. The sun was warm, and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she reached the stone doors; also open.

It was chaos, and she couldn't help chuckling to herself. Students buzzed around everywhere. Breakfast had obviously just let out, and children were on their way to their various classes. She stepped inside and looked around, her eyes finally landing on the two people she was looking for.

Snape stood between the headmistress and a witch that Hermione didn't recognize. She knew that many staff changes had occurred since she was a student. She quickly pulled her camera out of her pocket and took another photo and the three talking to each other. She knew that Snape would be furious to know that she was taking pictures of him, but she wanted to document this trip, and he was going to be a big part of it.

Finally the witch she didn't know said goodbye and stepped away, probably towards whatever classroom she taught in, and Snape and Minerva made their way towards the entrance. It was then that Snape's eyes fell on Hermione's face, and an odd expression briefly crossed his face. He immediately schooled his features as they approached each other.

"Good morning professors." She grinned at the pair, a trill of excitement shooting through her.

A/N So there you have the first chapter. This story will be told primarily by my writing alone, but also in the form of journal entries done by Hermione, and the photos she takes during their time together.

Please visit snapesassistant . blogspot . com to see pictures of their trip. I've decided to try and make this story as true to life as a fanfic can be. I will update the photos with each chapter, so bookmark the page if you want. Please let me know what you think of the idea. I already have all of the photos collected and saved on my computer, but if you come across any that you think might be good, please let me know.

Please review if you have a chance. I love the feedback, as I'm sure all of my fellow authors do. I'm really looking forward to writing this story, and I hope that you enjoy reading it.

Until next time!

TG