Obligatory Disclaimer: Don't own anything - if I did the verse would be so much more muggle)))
A/N: This is a Snape/Hermione story, but I hope it will be different from the classic SS/HG with a) Hermione being the good girl and Snape being the ever angst-ridden miserable spy OR b) with Hermione being the sexy girl and Snape being the sex god of Hogwarts (well those are the types I've read most so...).
I will try to present a slightly different point of view, also political as the magic world tries to embrace the muggle traditions and customs, not just the other way round. Hermione is the youngest teacher in Hogwarts and quite a rebellious one. Snape is of course alive and well.
It might seem OOC, but Hermione's all grown up and Snape's well-rested so a lot of things could and would change so I hope you enjoy it as much as I like writing it!
Thank you!
AU: Hermione doesn't have any children with Ron in this one.
Warnings: The T rating is mostly for mild coarse language.
Warnings 2: This story is not Beta'ed, as I don't take myself serious enough to burden someone with it... But if you feel like being a beta - please PM me I'd be super grateful for your help. Thank you!
A.
Chapter 1. The importance of being earnest.
"I can't believe we have discuss this again, dear." Minerva Mcgonagall sighed and fixed the woman in her office with an angry stare. "You know well enough I am quite fond of you, but those methods… are questionable to put it mildly."
Hermione Granger suppressed an annoyed groan - it wasn't easy, but respect for her former teacher prevailed.
"I am aware of your opinion, Headmistress." she answered softly, but firmly. "However, I teach according to my beliefs. You are aware of that. I'm afraid this conversation is leading us nowhere once again."
Hermione took in Minerva's face and wondered for a moment how come her looks never changed. The Headmistress didn't look a day older then the day Hermione first saw her at the sorting ceremony what seemed like ages ago. The memory of that day and of herself as a little girl all bushy hair and book confidence but no real confidence whatsoever - that memory made Hermione sentimental every time. That was the first day of her new life. Her life as a witch. That was the day it all really begun. For all of them.
"And I am afraid you've become quite the legend around here." Minerva's voice snapped Hermione out of her reverie. "Students are afraid of you."
"Isn't that a good thing?" the younger witch chucked, taking a sip of her favourite green tea with a hint of ginseng. The headmistress just shook her head disapprovingly.
"I strongly advise you to take this seriously young lady. I will not have a member of teaching staff as brilliant and capable as you are being referred to as…"
"Cruella?"
"Amongst other things." Minerva threw a brief look at Fawkes who seemed to be dreaming peacefully. It was obvious the bird found this particular conversation about as interesting as Hermione did.
"I am worried for you, Dear. I am sorry to pry but might this be about Ronald?"
Hermione bristled up immediately - if there was one thing she hated it was Headmistress getting all motherly on her. She had a mother, a real one even if that mother didn't remember having a daughter. That thought hurt like a bitch, making Hermione's retort sound much angrier then it was meant to.
"I am sorry Headmistress, but in future I would prefer to keep a professional conversation professional. To answer your question - no, my divorce has nothing to do with my teaching. I believe the new generation is soft, spoiled, too safe, too lazy. I also believe it's my responsibility to teach them the best way I can and I am doing just that. They might be unhappy but you and I both know they can charm. It's working."
Minerva let out a defeated sigh: " I can't argue with you on that, but I would prefer you to have a better reputation… To be loved and respected by the student body…"
"I don't need to be loved and respected!" Hermione knew she was cutting in impolitely, but this was getting way too annoying for her. "What I need is to know that if need be, those children can protect themselves against…" The images of the last battle burned through her mind, making her eyes water. "Anything." she finished quietly.
The silence fell in the room. Those silences used to be often guests after the war. For a long time they would come by and linger. That happened quite rarely now, but even to a more deafening effect, as if trying to make up for the time in between. The silences of mourning, remembering, relieving. Several long minutes later Minerva gave up.
"And those clothes of yours…" She said sternly, but both women knew this was entirely different level of an argument. "You know I'm all for muggle style and we're trying to welcome diversity in Hogwarts, but this is taking it a step too far, don't you think?"
Hermione looked down on her tight leather pants and high heeled boots. Accompanied by a long silver silk shirt the look was quite contemporary and daring.
"In all honesty I think never having to wear those robes again is the best thing that happened to me since the war ended."
"The students are taking after you. We will resemble a muggle school soon with all the jeans!"
"Isn't that the point of diversity?" Hermione arched her eyebrow and Minerva chuckled good-heartedly:
"I think I'm too old for this. But you're right, it's time to embrace the change. Consider it as well?"
"Are we really back to my methods of teaching?"
"Always my dear. Always as long as I am not happy with them."
"Merlin, I can only imagine how hard you were on Snape in our time. He was scary all right."
Minerva smiled suddenly, a twinkle in her eyes. "Well, he was a Slytherin and I didn't care as much for his reputation so he was not granted with my I should say very wise advice."
Hermione smiled broadly at this and replied, as if sharing a secret with the Headmistress:
"I never thought I would say it, but lucky Snape."
"Miss Granger, I have a feeling this conversation is over now. You may go back to torturing your students, but do know that I do not in any way approve of this behaviour."
"Noted, headmistress."
Hermione couldn't wait to leave the room. Her office was about 10 minute walk from here and her office hours had already started. The students must be waiting for her. Hermione smiled devilishly to herself as she walked through the corridors, her high heels clicking loudly on the stone floor. The students tried to avert their eyes and get out of her way quickly, freeing her path and Hermione thought that her reputation came quite handy too often to give it up.
