Another plot point could be Hermione standing up for her friends. Like when Snape is being overly harsh on Harry or Ron. She steps in, not afraid of the consequences. This highlights her loyalty and her sense of justice. In some fanfictions, this might lead to a power struggle between Hermione and Snape, where she has to use her wits to avoid getting into too much trouble with the strict professor.
In some fanfictions, Hermione might stand up to Snape over matters related to the Hogwarts rules. If Snape is trying to bend the rules in a way that disadvantages the students, Hermione will be the first to call him out. This can create a lot of tension in the story as Snape is not one to take being challenged lightly, and Hermione has to be very careful about how she goes about it.
One popular 'Hermione stands up to Snape' fanfiction is 'The Courage of Hermione'. In it, Hermione defends Neville against Snape's unfair treatment in a really intense potions class scene. It shows her strong will and intelligence as she uses her knowledge of potions rules to counter Snape's scathing remarks.
One key moment could be in the potions class. Snape might be unfairly criticizing Hermione's potion - making skills, and she just refuses to take it silently and stands up to him, stating her case clearly. Another moment might be when Snape is being overly harsh on one of her friends, and Hermione steps in, protecting her friend and facing Snape's wrath head - on.
A great fanfic could be where Hermione stands up for Snape when some other characters are gossiping about his past as a Death Eater. She might argue that people should be judged by their present actions and not be condemned forever for past mistakes. She could point out how Snape has risked his life countless times to protect the students at Hogwarts, like when he tried to keep the Death Eaters at bay during the school's attacks. This shows that Hermione recognizes his true worth and is not afraid to go against the popular opinion to defend him.
In this fanfiction, Hermione standing up to Snape might cause a rift in the Hogwarts faculty. Some teachers may side with Hermione, seeing Snape's meanness, while others might defend Snape. This could create chaos in the school and lead to a whole new set of adventures for Hermione and her friends as they navigate this new, more complex situation.
One common plot point is the secrecy itself. They often have to hide their relationship from others in the wizarding world. Another is the conflict that arises from their different personalities and backgrounds. For instance, Snape's dark past and Hermione's more positive outlook.
One possible interesting plot point could be Hermione using her vast knowledge to counter Snape's sarcastic remarks. For example, she might correct him on a potion - making detail he got wrong in front of the class. This would create a tense and engaging dynamic between them as Snape is not used to being challenged in such a way.
Another plot point is their collaboration to solve a mystery at Hogwarts. In 'The Hogwarts Enigma', they team up to figure out some strange happenings in the castle. This allows for a lot of character development as they have to put aside their differences and work together, relying on each other's strengths.
The theme of female strength is also prevalent. Hermione shows that she is not a damsel in distress but a capable and strong - willed young woman. She takes charge of situations, whether it's in a classroom debate or a more dangerous encounter, which is inspiring for readers who love to see a strong female lead in fanfictions.
A lot of these fanfictions explore how Hermione's personality is shaped by her parents. For instance, she could have Snape's sarcastic wit and Narcissa's poise. There are often plot points about her being ostracized by some Gryffindors who don't trust her new heritage. And she may have to prove herself more in the wizarding world. The mystery around her parentage might also be a big part of the plot, with her slowly uncovering the truth about how she came to be the daughter of Snape and Narcissa.
In some fanfictions, a great plot twist is that Snape is not really who he seems in terms of his magical abilities. He might be hiding a much greater power, and Hermione discovers this during a crucial moment. This discovery makes her trust in him even stronger as she realizes he has been hiding his true self not to intimidate others but to protect the wizarding world in his own way. Also, there could be a twist where Snape and Hermione are the only ones who can access a powerful, ancient magic, and this shared ability and the secrets it holds lead to a deeper level of trust between them.