Hello everyone.
I promise I am not abandoning Time Key while I write this. I had this itch to write this story and see how it plays out.
I hope you do enjoy this. Obviously Snape and Lavender have survived the war. These are the only off- canon that I will be doing.
Everything will be explained through the story I promise.
Enjoy! XO
September 1st, 2015
Granger Hollow
"Alexandria Lillian Granger! We need to be leaving otherwise you will be late for the train! Your Aunt's and Uncle's are meeting us there. Please, let's get a move on," I yell to my daughter as I hear her banging around her room upstairs. She should have laid her clothes out last night before going to bed. She shouldn't have stayed up late reading last night either. Then again, look who her mother is. I softly chuckle to myself as she comes down the stairs. It's still surprises me how much she grows and changes everyday. She is almost about 5 feet tall. Her chocolate straight hair hangs down her back almost to her bum like mine. Her black obsidian eyes stand out against her ivory pale skin.
"I'm ready mum. I'm sorry I slept in. I was reading the new book Uncle Harry got me and I just couldn't put it down," she pants while standing in front of me with the book in question in hand. I look her over for a few moments before motioning to her familiar in it's change. "I'll get Mac," she says as she grabs her eagle owl and walks over to the floo. "I'll go first. See you in a moment Mum!"
She grabs a fist full of powder, throws it in the floo and calls her destination out before disappearing into the green flames. I gently shake my head as a smile crosses my face. Before leaving I ensure the wards are set on the house and that I have everything that we will need. It's still hard to believe that I'll be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts. I tell myself that it is the best thing for me and Alex and that it is the next logical step for me. I have been an Auror for over 13 years now and I really did love my job but I always wanted to be able to shape the minds the next generation. I gave up my grand plans of revamping the Ministry long ago when it was infiltrated by the Voldemort and his Death Eaters. After the end of the Second Wizarding War, the corruption inside was glaring. Unlike Harry and Ron, I returned and finished my 7th year at Hogwarts. I was offered the same thing as Harry and Ron, but I wanted to earn my spot as an Auror on my own merits. Yes, I was a year behind Harry and Ron in the 3 year program but that was nothing compared to knowing that my spot was earned and not given.
After my introspection of myself, I grab a hand full over powder and head to King's Cross Station. I step out of the floo and brush off the slight ashes that have collected on my robes. I glance up look for my daughter and see the top of a messy head of black hair. Harry, I think fondly as I make my way over to where I can now spot my daughter with her collection of not technical cousin's. I spot James with his arm around Alex while Harry and Ginny speak with them. Harry James Potter, you better not give them The Maurader's Map. I mentally make note to ensure to keep an especially close eye on the children for signs of its use. I spot Lavender there as well standing next to Ginny. I don't spare a thought of where Ron is as I'm sure he made up an excuse to not be here. I still don't understand why he can't let anything go. It was over 12 years ago and it's not like he didn't rebound quickly with Lavender.
I reach the group and greet everyone before saying, "Alex and James. You best be on the train now so you can get proper seats before all of the compartment have been filled. Just because I will be teaching there does not mean that you will get preferential treatment. Understand?" I say looking between both of the children as they nod their heads. I bend and give Alex a hug and then James."I love you both and I will see you in a few hours at the castle," I say while the children hug and kiss everyone else before disappearing onto the train.
I sigh and lean my head on Harry's shoulder and Ginny walks to my other side and hugs me. I raise my arm around her and sigh. Albus and Lily Potter stand in front of us still upset that they have 2 and 4 years respectively before they can go to Hogwarts with James and their cousin Alex.
"Hermione, are you sure that you wanna go? I'm sure Kingsley would gladly rescind your resignation and reinstate you," Harry says as I straighten up and wipe the silent tears from my eyes. Even though I'll see Alex in a few short hours, this is a bittersweet feeling.
"Yes, Harry. I'm sure. I need to be there for Alex and protect her. Lord knows how our first year went. I just...I need to do this Harry," I say as I look at him. He doesn't know my other reasons but no one does and I hope to keep it that way.
"Ok. I figured I would try. We are gonna miss having you around so much. Ron is a great Auror but you have always been by my side through everything," he says as he wraps me in a hug.
"Harry, I have my owl and floo so you know you can always write or call. I'm not leaving for the Americas. You'll see my on holidays and there are always Hogsmeade weekends," I say as I look at him and Ginny. I really am going to miss them.
"Well, I best be off so I can get everything in order before the students arrive. I will write you, I promise. I'll let you know which house Alex gets sorted into. Bye Harry. Bye Ginny. I'll talk to you later," I say as I give them both a last hug before apparating away to Hogwarts.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
I begin walking up the gravel walk to the school. I have so many fond memories here with Harry and Ron. I hope Alex can make as many memories her as I did. I just hope I can keep my secret about Alex's father from everyone knowing. I have been able to keep it a secret for the past almost 12 years. shouldn't be hard. My wandering mind has distracted me the entire walk till I reach the front doors and walk through. Of course, the last person I wanted to see is the first one. Merlin must be against me.
"Ah. Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor has decided to grace us with her presence. How is it that you were able to skip being here last week when we all were supposed to arrive?"
"Good morning Professor Snape. As acerbic as ever I see. I had to clean out my office and close up a few things before being able to come. Minerva already has my course outlines for all 7 years. Everything has been taken care. If you don't mind, I would like to head to my office and unpack before the students arrive. Good day Professor," I say as I begin walking away. My nerves are all on fire seeing that man. How can he still make me feel like an 11 year old still after all of these years?
I spend the next few hours unpacking and arranging my office and classroom. Once that is finished, I make my way down to the Great Hall. The students should be arriving any moment. "Hermione!" I hear moments before being wrapped into a hug.
"Neville! It's so good to see you! How have you been?" I say as I return the embrace. I really have missed him. Since getting married to Hannah Abbot and accepting the position as Herbology Professor, I haven't seen him in ages.
"Oh I am doing well. How are you? How's Alexandria? She starts this yea with James right?" He asks as we make our way into the Great Hall where the other professors are taking their seats at the Head Table.
"Alex and I are doing well. Yes, she begins this year with James. She is excited and nervous. About the same as I am honestly," I say as we take seats next to each other. I am greeted by many other professors who taught us. The students begin coming in at that moment and our conversation halts. I watch as the students begin glancing at the head table and start laying eyes on me. The chatter begins as they all start connecting the dots that I must be the DADA professor since there are no new faces at the table.
The Headmistress calls for silence just before the new students start coming into the hall. I look the new faces and spot James and Alexandria walking together looking around the hall excitedly. The first years arrive at the front of the Hall and the sorting hat is brought out. It begins to sing it's song as my eyes wander down the head's table to Severus. I see the moment his eyes connect with James Potter. The sneer of contempt on his face is palpable from this distance from him. His eyes float to the girl next to James and his eyes narrow on her. Oh bloody hell! He stares at Alex with a narrowed glance before glancing at me. I avert my gaze before it becomes obvious that I have been staring at him. My heart rate starts to pick up as I can feel his eyes on me. I realize this may have been a bad idea becoming a professor. At least I would have been away and could have ignored his owls till he came looking for me personally. What have I gotten myself into?
The hat has finished it song and the sorting begins. I listen with half an ear while the students are sorted and ignore the heated gaze I can feel boring into me. "Granger, Alexandria," I hear Professor Flitwick say. My breath hitches in my throat as my daughter steps up to the stool. I glance to my left and see Severus's eyes look at my daughter. The hat is placed on her head and I hold my breath. Please, don't be Slytherin.
