a/n: Ah, venturing back into the world of actually writing this stuff instead of just reading. Some of you may know me under a former guise, Polei Andromache. Much of the stuff on that name was written when I was 12 and is sufficiently awful, so please don't read any of it unless you are a recovering insomniac. So here we go. Let's have some fun.
Chapter One
Hermione Granger had become a beautiful woman in the six years since she had left Hogwarts. No one would begrudge her that. Her hair cascaded down her back, glorious to behold when she took the time to brush it. Her brown eyes were deep and liquid smooth although surrounded by dark circles. The rigorous years of study at a prestigious magical university had taken a toll on her health and appearance. That was to be expected however. She was Hermione Granger after all. Now, one month after her graduation at the top of her class, she sat in a small, semi-claustrophobic apartment near Diagon Alley serenely sipping coffee, absorbed in her own world.
An insistent tapping on her window interrupted Hermione's reverie. Looking up, she smiled at the tawny barn owl hovering there. Rising to open her window, she wondered whom the letter could possibly be from. Certainly not Harry, who was taking his partner Draco Malfoy on their first vacation since their honeymoon, five years ago. Harry's excuse was that the auror business was booming with capturing the Dark Lord's followers after his defeat. But since Voldemort had been destroyed 4 ½ years ago, that excuse was loosing its validity, thank God. It couldn't be from Ron, Ron who hadn't spoken to Hermione or Harry since they had graduated. According to Ginny, he was living with a nice witch outside of Kent and working in the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry. And her parents were celebrating their 35th anniversary on an obscure island someplace. As soon as her window was cracked open the owl flew in, dropped his burden, and soared over to her breakfast where he picked at a bit of dry toast. Curiously, Hermione scooped up the letter and began to read.
My dear Miss Granger,
It has been too long, my dear. You may not be aware that Professor Flitwick has left the Hogwarts staff to enjoy a semi-peaceful retirement on the Hawaiian Islands. Minerva McGonagall recalls that you have a particular interest in Charms, and therefore we would like to extend an invitation for you to join the staff of Hogwarts.
The term begins, as usual, on September 1st. Teachers report to the castle on July 15th. We expect your reply owl within the week.
Best Regards,
Albus Dumbledore, headmaster.
Hermione let the letter to flutter to the table. Teaching at Hogwarts! A rare opportunity for a witch just out of university. It would be wonderful to be at her old school again, to be back at the school that had been home for 7 years. It brought the old memories back just to think about it. Memories of the crazy adventures Harry had led her into, the hours of classes, the steamy dungeons, the airy astronomy tower, and Ron. She was qualified in Charms, as well as Transfiguration, Potions (which she found mysteriously simple without her bastard of an ex-potions professor looming over her), and Magical Defense. Glancing at her clock, she realized she had reminisced the morning away. It was nearly 11:00 and she was to meet Ginny at Gladrags at noon for a bit of shopping. Smiling, she realized that she didn't really have a particularly difficult decision to make. Raising her wand she summoned a piece of parchment.
Dear Headmaster,
I am delighted to accept your invitation to join the Hogwarts faculty. I'll see you on the 15th.
Hermione Granger
***
A week later, Hermione found herself stepping out of a not-really-horseless carriage in front of the enormous castle that was once again home. Ginny had been thrilled for her and a postcard from Harry and Draco (who was now a close friend, in spite of history) said that they too were thrilled "and exceedingly proud of our bookworm" as Draco had worded it. Slowly Hermione had found herself climbing the steps to the Great Hall. She pushed against the heavy oak door and took a step inside the cavernous room. Several portraits waved to her, recognizing the former head girl affectionately. She grinned widely and waved back.
"Do you normally great portraits, Professor?"
Hermione spun around to see her welcoming committee, consisting of the hooked-nosed potions master leaning against a stair case. "No, not usually Professor Snape. Just today."
Soft laughter came from the shadows behind Snape, "Well said Hermione."
"Remus?"
"The one and only. Oh don't look so surprised, I've been back since the year after you lot graduated. You took the curse of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with you apparently," the older man laughed coming forward into the light.
Hermione laughed, dropping her bag as she was caught up into a hug by the jovial man, "I'm not surprised, not really. Shocked, shocked is the word."
"Very funny Mione. Come on now, come have some dinner with us. The house-elves will take your bags to your quarters."
Hermione wrinkled her nose a bit before taking Remus' arm. As he led her toward the heavenly smelling Great Hall, she glanced over her shoulder, "Where did Professor Snape get to?"
"Probably went into dinner while we were discussing your state of shock," Remus answered, "Don't mind him, he's been a bit snakier than usual lately. I think he's in the midst of a midlife crisis."
"Don't Remus, you're the same age as he is," Hermione chastised playfully.
"I'll be good mother," Remus said, assuming the air of a naughty child, "Maybe..."
"Hermione!" Another voice interjected. There was Minerva McGonagal, swooping down from the head table and gathering her prize student into her arms.
"Hello, Professor," Hermione said as she was smothered in the arms of her mentor.
"It's been far too long dear. Six years and you've never come to see us?"
"You know me, Professor McGonagal. School and all that. It sort of monopolized my time," Hermione excused herself.
"I should say. You aren't looking well dear, have you been sleeping? Oh you're far too skinny. Madam Pomfrey is going to have your head, Hermione Granger, if you don't get rid of those circles under your eyes before term starts."
"I'll work on it Professor. As it stands, I feel like I could eat a horse and sleep for a week," Hermione grinned somewhat lackadaisically. She was looking forward to the coming weeks of serenity before the students invaded.
"You'll also have to work on calling all of us Professor, Mione," Remus called from the staff table where he was beginning to carve into a piece of steak.
"Remus is right, dear," McGonagal clucked, "You're a teacher now too."
Hermione blushed, "I've been calling you Remus since I was 16 years old, Remus. So none of that for you. And as for everyone else..." Hermione sneaked a glance at Snape who was absorbed in his dinner, "I'll try."
"That's all we ask." McGonagal chuckled and whisked Hermione to a chair beside her own, and proceeded to cluck over her favorite charge for the rest of the meal.
***
a/n: That's it for chapter one. I'm sorry if it was a bit boring, I had to get everything set up for the rest of the story. Anyway, I hope you'll all r/r. I promise some HG/SS action is coming... hopefully soon. I have to figure out how I'm going to get it all set up. And then there's that whole Ron situation. hmm...
3, Akhaian
