I own nothing but the plot

A Meeting of Professors

Hermione Granger sat in the large luscious chair in the Gryffindor common room brooding over her prat of a friend Ronald Weasley. After 8 years of friendship he never ceased to amaze her at how utterly stupid he could sometimes act. Today however he once again cross he fine line that was Hermione's self control. Suggesting she should be more like his precious "lav lav" How dare he!! She was better than that Barbie wana be any day; she had intelligence, integrity, and a bright future ahead she told herself. There was really no point in letting Ron's childish manner get to her. She sighed and picked up her newest book that her mother had oweled her earlier in the week. As she started to turn to her bookmarked page a voice sounded from behind her.

"Having troubles there lass?" the thick Scottish voice inquired.

Oliver Wood, the previously famous Quidditch keeper was now the head of the Gryffindor house and flying instructor after Professor McGonagall took the place of Headmaster after Dumbledore's death. Wood, having been badly injured in a Quidditch match against the Harpies last season was no longer able to play in the league and was more than happy to accept the professor's offer of employment. At 24 years of age Wood was still quite handsome and had his own fan club of girls from many of the Hogwarts houses. Oliver was the second youngest professor at Hogwarts. Hermione was the youngest, having taken extra classes in her third year and participating in summer classes after the last battle, Hermione was able to finish school and take McGonagall's place as the transfiguration professor.

"Kind of, you see Harry has Ginny and I'm truly glad he has found someone especially someone special and devoted like her but…" Hermione's voice trailed off.

"But what lass?"

"Well, I'm alone, Ron and Lavender started dating again, and as much as I love hanging out with the other professors and learning from them, I can't help but want to hang out with my old friends."

"And it seems that they've found a wee bit of love and forgotten about ye, doesn't quite seem fair does it dear lass?" Oliver said taking the seat in the chair beside her.

"No Oliver it doesn't but maybe I should just get used to the feeling, I mean in a few months school will be over for Ron and Harry, but not for me. I'll still be here as a teacher, which is really what I have always wanted to do I guess. Knowledge has always been my passion I always want to learn more about the magical world." Hermione admitted to the Scotsman.

"Hermione, I think at this point ye know more about the magical world than some pure bloods, I mean how many times have ye read Hogwarts a History. Ye helped Harry defeat the Dark Lord; ye solved the mystery of the basilisk. Hermione ye are truly the smartest witch of yer age. Harry and Ron simply take ye fer granted, ye've always been there for them, but they never really see you for the beautiful lass that you really are." Oliver observed.

The young wizard couldn't help but admit the beauty of the witch sitting before him. She had changed greatly in the years that he had known her. Gone was the bushy haired young girl he had met eight years ago. Hermione was now a beautiful young woman with long wavy hair and a beautiful body. He only wished that the lads she called her friends could see the truth about the witty witch.

"Thank you Oliver, that's very kind of you to say. I guess I should be heading back to my own tower. Thanks for making me feel better Oliver." Hermione rose from her chair and lightly hugged her fellow professor then padded out of the room.

Hermione made her way to her tower on the south side of the castle. She stopped at the hazy portrait of a wolf and his mate. The wolf was the entrance to her tower she had chosen the portrait as her protector after seeing him on one of her late night walks through the castle during her summer lessons. Even as a portrait the wolf was nippy toward most at Hogwarts and often would jump at Ron and Harry when they came to visit. He had taken to Hermione at once however and she began to call him Ranulf and his mate Faolan. Ranulf often followed her from portrait to portrait throughout her day and often sat in her classroom as she taught. The large gray wolf was a comfort to her as well as his reserved young mate Faolan. She was a much smaller wolf and had a thick hazel color coat.

Hermione nodded her head at the wolf and received a nod in return. Her portrait hole was opened and she entered her home. Ranulf followed her into her private common room and settled in the frame over the mantle among the forest of pines painted there. Hermione sighed, the night was beginning to fall upon Hogwarts and she wasn't in the mood to sit peacefully in her tower. She strutted to the large window overlooking the forest and opened it. Closing her eyes she leaned forward and fell. The wind rush past her face as her body began to transform into her animagus form. As a small tawny owl she soared through the chilly night's air toward the Quidditch field. It was there atop the ring of the goals that she could think her clearest. As she extended her talons to leap a quaffle sailed through the hoop.

There atop his broom was Oliver Wood. Hermione stretched her wings and flew past him, brushing his face with her wings in annoyance as she lighted on the stands.

"Aye dear owl, I am sorry, ye deserve the pitch much more than a has been Quidditch keeper like me self. I was simply hoping that I may still have a wee bit of my old talent." Oliver shared with the animagus.

Hermione spread her wings and dove down to retrieve the quaffle for the young professor. Once the quaffle was in her talons she flew up once again and dropped the ball in the keepers lap, landing on his shoulder and softly hooting at him.

"Ney young owl, I've lost me touch in the Quidditch world I fear. I would love to get back in the game that I once loved as a lad, but nay it shall never work." He said stroking the tawny owls chest. The owl lightly nipped at his fingers as he let the broom lower toward the ground.

Hermione wished that there was some way that she could help Oliver. He deserved to be happy and what truly made him happy was Quidditch. Being a flight instructor just wasn't the same she could imagine.

As she once again took flight toward her tower she decided to get to know her fellow professor a little better.