DISCLAIMER : I OWN NOTHING BUT THIS STORY

Just a couple of things to mention before you begin, dear reader :

1. In this story Snape is a broken man so expect a fair bit of emotion, OOC.

2. This is a fairly fast paced story hence the small amount of chapters.

3. This is rated M due to a sex scene.

I really hope you enjoy my first Harry Potter themed fanfic.

Reviews are always welcome.

Now that this story has been posted for a while, I want to say "thank you" to all those who have posted nice reviews and also helpful reviews. You guys make my day :)

However, I do not appreciate receiving PMs that say that I have wasted 30 minutes of your life by you reading this story, due to the fact that it is unreadable. That is not helpful in the slightest! Also if you don't like the pairing, don't read the story, it's as simple as that.

It had been several weeks since the war had ended and slowly the magical world had been healing. Fear no longer controlled everyone and normality had started to settle in as everyone started to rebuild their shattered lives.

Hogwarts was being rebuilt and as each shattered stone wall was replaced, the feeling of safety and peace was once again returning to the school.

Teachers had started to move back into the school and many were busy preparing for the new term. The staff, that had survived the war, were back in their old teaching positions and McGonagall had become headmistress, much to everyone's delight. There were two positions that were yet to be filled though, Potions and DADA, and everyone was speculating who would take up the post. There were however several apprentices joining the faculty this year. Neville Longbottom was taking up a Herbology Apprenticeship, Luna Lovegood was taking an apprenticeship with Hagrid on magical creature husbandry and Cho Chang had taken up an apprenticeship with Professor McGonagall in hopes that she would take over the Transfiguration class so the Professor could concentrate on being Headmistress.

At the start of the new term all the new students had been sorted into their houses and those who missed their last year, due to the war, had come back to repeat so they could finish their NEWT's. Those who had decided to do apprenticeships were exempt from the exams as they were going to be trained on the job.

The main hall was filled with chatter and laughter as the new students made friends and the returning students talked about the new year ahead. Professor McGonagall couldn't help but smile at the sight as she thought she would never see this innocent scene again. After taking a moment to compose herself, she stood up and stood in front of everyone.

"Can I have some hush please" She said to the students and the hall fell silent.

"We are all here today to start a new term at Hogwarts, the first in a new era of peace" She smiled to the students.

"Before I announce our new staff members, I would like to ask that we all take a moment of silence to reflect on the events that have passed. We have all lost people close to us and have all been greatly affected by the War, so let us take a moment to remember those we have lost and give thanks to them for helping us achieve a state of peace" She then bowed her head and closed her eyes and each student did the same.

After a moment of quiet reflection her head rose "Students, I would like to introduce you to the staff. Those of you who are returning will know them so I will introduce the new staff" she then turned to the teachers "Firstly we have some new Apprentices. Luna Lovegood will be training with Hagrid, Neville Longbottom will be training in herbology, Cho Chang with be training with myself and Hermoine Granger will be training in Potions, please take a bow" She said to the new apprentices. They all bowed before sitting back down.

"I am of course your new Headmistress and I will remain the Griffindor head of house"

"Now, I know there have been many rumours circulating about who will be teaching Potions and DADA, so I think it's about time we put these rumours to rest don't you? " She smiled at all the excited face before her. "Our new DADA Professor is an expert in defence and has spent the last year fighting for all our freedom. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome back Harry Potter, as our new DADA Professor"

The doors to the hall then opened and Harry walked through the hall, the students gasped in surprise at the War hero walking past them. He reached the headmistress and thanked her before addressing the students and the headmistress joined her colleagues at the teacher's table.

"As you are all aware, over the past few years, I have fought tirelessly to insure that you all were safe. I couldn't have done this without the help of my friends, some of whom, are now my colleagues. It is now time to teach you all, the skills that you all need to protect yourselves and your friends, should the need arise ever again" everyone started clapping for him and cheering, he smiled at everyone.

Suddenly the doors to the grand hall opened again and everyone turned to see who had walked in. The room fell completely silent as no one had expected to see the person, who was walking through the hall, again. They had all heard rumors and hoped they were true but no one truly believed it but there he was, walking up to where Harry stood. Harry looked at the sea of shocked faces including the staff and couldn't help but chuckle as he had the same face when he had met the War hero stood next to him and was relieved that the secret had finally been revealed.

Harry then addressed the students again "The man stood before you is someone whom I owe my life, without him I would not be standing before you today. He is the bravest man you will ever meet and every student and teacher in this hall owes him their life. It is my absolute honour to introduce you to your Potions teacher, Professor Snape" he then turned to the professor who nodded in appreciation. All the students and teachers then jumped up from their seats and started clapping and cheering before Professor Snape turned to them all and motioned for hush with his hands.

"Don't strain yourself Professor" Harry said patting the Professor's arm refusing to leave his hero's side.

Snape gave him a split second, uncharacteristic smile before turning to the students, silence had once again fallen over the Grand Hall.

"The rumours are true, I survived the attack from Voldamort. The stories you have heard are true and I was always on the side of good. I will be returning to my previous position of Potions Master and I understand I have a new apprentice this year" He said turning to Hermione who acknowledged him with a nod.

"If, however, you think I will be soft on you all, you are sadly mistaken. My class will be as tough as ever, as I now have my full focus on teaching you, the art of potion making" he said confidently but with his voice straining, his injuries to his throat were still not fully healed. Harry noticed this and motioned for the Potions Master to join him with the other staff.

McGonagall then stood up "Now that the formalities are over lets eat" and with a flourish of her wand a magnificent feast appeared before the students and staff.

The students started eating and chatting as did the teachers. Harry was fussing over Snape who did not look happy with the attention he was receiving. Hermione and McGonagall looked at Harry and Snape and then each other.

"Who would have thought that they would become so close, I always though Snape hated Harry" Hermione said to the headmistress.

"Snape never hated Harry, Hermione, he wouldn't have protected him if he did. Severus loved Harry's mother so much and Harry is half of Lily so he saw it as his duty to protect him. Now Voldamort has been vanquished, Harry feels he owes Snape a life debt. Especially as he spent the last several years hating him, so he has been fussing over him ever since he found out he was alive, thanks to you."

"I couldn't leave him Minerva, not after we found out what he had done for us. I knew it was a long shot, especially as we thought he had died when we left him. Something wouldn't let me give up on him so easily though. By the time I got back to the shack, he was on the brink of death. Thank Merlin, Fawkes appeared when he did and I had some potions in my bag" she shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if she hadn't gone back. "How did Fawkes appear anyway I thought he left when Dumbledore died?"

"Fawkes knew that Severus had helped Albus in his time of need so he appeared when Severus needed him the most. Albus would have never wanted to just wither away due to that damn curse. I have lost count of the times I have actually thanked Severus for doing as Albus asked and ended his pain"

"Well, with Fawkes' tears and my potions we were able to get him to St Mungo's in time. Does he know who saved him?"

"He doesn't Hermione, as per your request"

"Do you think he still loves Lily?" Hermione asked before taking a sip of wine from her goblet.

"Not any more he has accepted that he was in love with her but since his near death experience he has come to peace with it and has moved on"

"Did you know that he asked for you to be his apprentice?"

"no I didn't, why did he do that?" Hermione asked shocked at what she had heard.

"He wouldn't say but it is quite an honour. There are very few Potions Masters left in this world and Severus has never trained another to be a potions master before so it is quite special for you to be tutored by him. He is one of the last left so he obviously fond of you, if he has taken you on as an apprentice"

"Oh my gosh, I really didn't know he asked for me personally. How many Potions Masters are left?" She asked blushing furiously.

"Only he knows the exact amount but he wont tell anyone. Anyway its late Hermione, I'm going to return to my room. Good night"

"Good night Minerva" Hermione smiled to the headmistress, who patted her shoulder lightly as she walked past her.

Hermione looked towards Harry and Professor Snape to find Snape looking at her, when he noticed that she saw him looking at her, he looked away and she did the same.

Is he blushing? She thought to herself with a giggle.

When she looked at him again, she saw that he was talking to Harry. She then decided to head off to her chambers as she was tired and was in for a long day tomorrow, as her first day as a trainee Potions Mistress.