"Miss Granger stay behind!" Snape said as the noisy seventh year class hurried out of his classroom when the bell struck for end of lesson.

Hermione spun on her heels and walked quickly to the teachers' desk, behind which Snape sat reading some papers.

Her mind was in overload as she thought of all the reasons he would want to speak to her. What had she done wrong? Had she mixed up the potions? Was her homework not 100% right?

'No,' she thought to herself. 'I've done nothing wrong. Maybe he needs some assistance with something.'

She stood for a few moments in silence nervously waiting. Snape put down the papers and looked up at the witch. She had definitely changed over recent months. The war had changed her. No longer was she awkward looking and geeky, but transformed into a beautiful, mature young woman. Unlike Ron and Harry who had both left after the final battle had been won, Hermione returned to finish her education. This did not surprise Snape as he always knew her to be a swot in school and the chance for extra learning probably excited her beyond anything else ever could.

Hermione stared into his dark eyes and smiled politely. Maybe it was her new found maturity, or maybe the war had knocked some sense into her at last, but Hermione couldn't help feeling a new desire for her potions master. He wasn't conventionally attractive but there was definitely something in his appearance and the way he held himself and spoke which made Hermione weak at the knees. He had also become gentler. Not completely nice, but he was changing slowly from 'totally sarcastic and cruel' to 'once in a while snide remarks'. There was also the fact he was a hero. No longer could she think of him as the mean, awful man who took pleasure in torturing her or her friends. He had sacrificed everything he had for others. No one could deny it, he was good!

"Miss Granger, it is of no pleasure to me at all that I must inform you that Professor McGonagall has requested you start extra tuition classes with me," Snape said slowly and calmly. "Lessons will begin tomorrow evening in this classroom at eight."

Hermione gazed open mouthed at him. She wasn't sure if she should be curious as to why she suddenly needed extra help, or ecstatic at the thought of spending a few extra hours a week with this peculiar, yet amazing, man.

"Miss Granger that is an extremely unattractive look. If there are no questions please feel free to run along to your next class," Snape said slightly bored sounding.

Turning, Hermione walked to the door, opened it and left. Her head spun with thoughts and feelings. But more to the point, why was she being sent to extra class? It seemed almost insulting.

Back in his classroom Snape stretched back in his seat. 'Great,' he thought to himself. 'A night a week spent with yet another pupil who hates me.'

As if by no coincidence at all, professor McGonagall strode into the classroom. "Ahh Severus, I see Hermione just leaving. Did you tell her of the new classes?"

Snape grunted in response. "Minerva explain again please, why must I give the class know-it-all extra lessons? She is far superior in knowledge than anyone else in the year, Merlin! In the school!"

"It is true," McGonagall answered with a nod. "She is far above every other pupil. However, even to you it must be clear that these past months she has changed."

Snape sighed in agreement. It was very clear. Hermione, although her physical appearance had changed for the better, what couldn't be seen had changed the most. She had cut herself off from her classmates and with neither Ron nor Harry to keep her company she was fully alone. It hadn't affected her class performance but it was impossible to ignore the thought of her struggling emotionally.

"Extra classes will give her something to focus on besides her situation," Professor McGonagall stated. "She needs something to keep her entertained, the search for her parents has gone badly."

"No luck?" Snape asked almost sympathetically sounding.

McGonagall shook her head, "None. You will be a kind of support for her while the search is on. You will give her guidance in class and out of it."

Although Snape had grown a new found respect for Hermione, he still didn't revel in the thought of having to sit and listen to her boy issues or any other pubescent worries.

"Severus," Professor McGonagall said softly. "She needs someone. Her tone became harsher as she added, "and it will do you good to have someone around. You're living up to the students' stories of being the dungeon bat. Maybe spending a bit more time socialising will do Hermione and you the world of good.'

Snape nodded one last time and the conversation was over. McGonagall, knowing she had one this war of words, turned and left the classroom swiftly. Sitting back Snape thought about this new assignment. This would certainly be something different: Helping the class know-it-all, helping someone emotionally, just helping.