Chapter One: Formal Introductions, Informal Greetings
Rain slashed at the windows of the Hogwart's Express as it travelled toward the world renowned school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, carrying with it the few hundred hand-picked students, as well as some weary professors.
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were among those in the teacher's compartment, along with, surprisingly, Neville Longbottom and two others. Despite only graduating from Hogwart's in the last five years, the three alumni had been offered teaching positions in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Herbology respectively, making them the youngest professors in Hogwart's history.
"So, who else is on the staff?" Neville enquired to a nervous looking Hermione.
"Well, I'm not sure. We were among the first to be offered positions, and since then I haven't heard of anything from McGonagall. But I'm thinking that after all those retirements, that there will be rather a large amount of new blood within the teaching staff."
"The only person who I know is still on the staff is Snape" added Harry. "But I only know that because I made McGonagall tell me as a prerequisite to my accepting the professorship."
Neville turned visibly green. He still had an innate fear of the potions master, and because they had not seen each other since the unfortunate events of the final potions exam, he had a reason to suspect that Snape would not be so fond to hear that his worst student had achieved tenure at Hogwarts. It was well known that he did not react so well when he bumped into Harry exiting the headmistress's office after being offered a position in his favoured subject.
"Relax" said Harry. "He won't even remember what happened in our final year. It's all just water under the bridge, or whatever they say. Besides, I know something that will cheer you up to no end."
"Oh? And what might that be?" asked Hermione.
"It's a surprise." Harry winked.
"Don't tell me you finally proposed to her." Neville gasped.
"What? Oh right. That. No, I haven't. Yet. But all in due time I say. No, this is something that will make all of us happy."
The train lurched to a stop, startling the other two new teachers awake, one of whom looked extremely disorientated. After waiting for the students to disembark to their school, and doing a quick sweep to ensure that the train was definitely empty, the five new professors headed toward the school, hastening to the welcoming banquet. Although the new teachers had met up individually with McGonagall to discuss their qualms about starting a new life at Hogwart's, all were visibly nervous as they trudged up the familiar stone staircases and into the side entrance, making their way to the head table. They barely sat down before Professor McGonagall began her speech, addressing the students, among them, the nervous looking first years who were huddled at the back of the hall.
"Welcome students, to a brand new year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Some of you are returning students, and are already jaded by some of the ongoings of our school. Let me assure, you, this year, that will change. To the new students, another welcome to the beginning of your education. Let the sorting begin."
Harry took this time to observe his surroundings. He noticed that there were a few chairs at the head table that were unoccupied. Strange. His eyes met with Hermione's, and a look of understanding passed between them. Neville meanwhile, was attempting not to be bothered by his close proximity to Severus Snape, who was making no effort to hide the contempt in his face, as he surveyed his three former students join him at the table. Trust Minerva to pull something like this, he thought. They had better not insist on first name familiarity, otherwise I'm not sure what I would be capable of doing. However, given the lack of applicants, I'd assume this was the most logical choice.
The sorting finally finished with 'Zambesi, Gretchen', when McGonagall finally got up again and began to introduce the new teachers.
"As many of you can see, we have a large amount of new teachers, more so than the other years. You will be pleased to hear however, that the majority of them are themselves alumni of this school. In fact, many of you in your 7th year will be familiar with them, although, that is not to encourage overly familiar gestures towards them. They are, of course, professors now. Here, we have Professor Potter, he will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. "
A hush fell over the hall for a moment before it erupted into loud murmurings and gasps. A few of the 7th years who Harry knew waved at him, while one first year in Hufflepuff fainted, and had to be revived by his neighbour. Hermione, Neville and even Snape appeared amused at the cacophony that ensued.
"Hush." The hall fell once again, into silence. "And there, we have Professor Granger. She will be teaching Transfiguration."
Another spattering of murmurs could be heard around the hall. The trio were infamous among the wizarding community, especially since the defeat of Lord Voldermort three years ago. And to have two out of the three teaching at Hogwarts out of the blue, after the whereabouts of all three had been virtually unknown for the past few years. It was amazing.
McGonagall went around the table, introducing each teacher and their chosen subjects, when she finally came to the two empty chairs at the end.
"And two of our new professors have been delayed because of the weather. Howev- "
The side entrance to the great hall opened and in walked two tall, lanky figures, one of whose ginger hair was decidedly windswept.
"Ah, well here they are. Introducing Professor Weasley and Professor Malfoy. Professor Weasley is your new flying instructor, and Professor Malfoy will be the new Charms teacher."
The hall was deadly silent. Students and teachers alike were shocked, with the exception of Ron and McGonagall, who both seemed to be watching the scene unfold before them with bemusement. Draco smirked, in the direction of Hermione, Harry and Neville, nodded at Severus, and sat down at the table, seemingly unaffected by the tension that filled the hall. Ron, taking his lead, sat down also, beaming at Hermione and Neville. They couldn't decide whether to be more shocked that there beloved friend Ron was on the staff, or by the fact that Malfoy was also. Harry could feel the old feelings of contempt rise up inside of him as he saw his old adversary again after all those eventful years. Fuck water under the bridge he thought.
The people and the stories that accompanied them were infamous. The Golden Trio, reunited at the school in which they met, and Draco Malfoy, equally infamous. What was McGonagall thinking having them all together at the school? Surely, there would be too much bad blood between the groups to merit working together. Adding Professor Snape… who knows what could happen. They were the stuff of legends, and the tales that were passed on from year to year were legendary. Students were gobsmacked.
"As I said," McGonagall said with a hint of a smile, "this year, we have had the good fortune of obtaining these fine professors, who are among the best wizards and witches in the world, to agree to teach at the school. Now, if you would all follow the Prefects, they will take you back to your dorms."
The hall erupted with movement and noise, and with each student wanting to be heard over the other, the sound was deafening. As the students and thus, the noise trickled away into silence, the teachers were left staring at each other, and assessing the situation.
"So…" Neville said, with a slight cough.
Snape rolled his eyes, and wordlessly stood up, whirled, and stalked out of the hall.
Hagrid stood and enveloped his four old friends into a bear hug, tears forming around his eyes. He turned and offered his hand to Draco, who merely sniffed and stared at it. McGonagall cleared her throat. Draco grudgingly offered his hand to shake and withdrew as soon as possible. Hermione then rushed over to Ron, and shared a hug, reuniting after the years. The other new professors looked petrified, as they were not expecting to be in the presence of such high calibre people, especially altogether.
"The teacher's wings have been set up around various points of the castle" stated McGonagall. "You have each been given a password before you arrived at Hogwarts. Feel free to settle in now. However, I would like to speak to Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco before they retire."
The other teachers couldn't get away quick enough. Harry didn't catch any of their names, and he doubted any of the others did too, as they were all focused on the situation at hand, wary at what had befallen them."
"Now," McGonagall started "I trust that I can expect all four of you to treat each other with the utmost respect and put aside any bad feelings that are between any of you. Remember that times are different now, circumstances have changed. Being adults as you are now, I assume that past difference will be put aside."
Ron and Harry looked uncertainly at each other. Hermione was silent, as was Draco.
"Good. Then it's done. You may leave. Classes begin tomorrow."
The four professors turned, and exited the hall, feeling as if they were students again. Minerva McGonagall had that effect on people. It had been years since some of them had seen each other and he headmistress was right, things had changed. The eagerness that each person felt at starting a new life was somewhat deflated, as they had been placed in the same situation as they had been in when they had first started at Hogwarts.
As soon as they exited the Great Hall, Harry and Ron whirled around and faced Draco.
"What the hell are YOU doing here Malfoy?" Ron spat.
"Same as you Weasley. I was offered a job here. I happened to accept it, but if I had known that you two were going to be here, I wouldn't have bothered." He replied calmly.
"Where do you even get off coming back here anyway? Your side was defeated. The honourable thing to do would've been to never come back." Harry countered.
"Stop. All of you. Just stop." Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "McGonagall is right, things have changed. Harry, you should know better. You're an adult now, a professor. You too, Draco."
Draco looked momentarily stunned. "What did you call me?"
"Draco." Hermione replied, nonplussed. "That is still your name isn't it?"
"Whatever" Ron said. "Harry, let's go. Coming Mione?"
"Actually," she said "my room is this way. How about we meet up in about half an hour? That way I can get changed and settle into my quarters first."
Ron shrugged and the two friends sauntered away from Hermione, leaving her with the blonde haired, startlingly attractive man that had been her enemy for so long.
"So, I see you haven't changed at all Draco" she said softly.
"Can't say the same thing for you. Last time I saw you, you looked different. Now you look… nice." Draco replied wryly, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.
They both remembered their 7th year at Hogwarts. Both had been head prefects, which meant them having to share a room together. A lot had happened between them. After the kiss, they avoided each other cautiously, even going back to the spiteful routine they had followed for all those years. Hermione knew that Ron still harboured resentment toward Draco, and although Harry was more understanding, he would always back his dearest friend when push came to shove. She could feel the old feelings coming back, now that the blue eyes were looking at her, surveying her. She would not make the same mistake twice, and looked away quickly.
"Well, it's good to see you." She said.
They both turned their separate ways and proceeded to their rooms. Hermione sighed and opened her door, throwing herself onto her bed, yawning with tiredness. It was good to be back. That meeting was an awkward meeting, she thought to herself.
Tell me about it, a voice replied. Hermione opened her eyes. What the hell?
She lifted her head, and gazed across her room. Leaning on her doorway stood Draco, his face hard to read. Was that amusement? Annoyance?
It's both Draco said. Only, his mouth wasn't moving. Hermione blinked. What the hell?
Draco walked toward her. "I think it's time to pay a visit to Severus." He said.
Hermione groaned. The damn potion they had both unwittingly taken back in 7th year still had an effect, all these years later. Why had she not realised before?
"Because," Draco said "I think it has something to do with the distance between the two people."
"That would make sense. I can't believe this. After all these years."
"Yeah, Granger." He smirked, not unkindly. "Let's go. Hopefully this will be sorted out before you have to meet Potter and Weasley."
Hermione sighed. Trust my luck to have to see Draco and Severus on the first day here. I was hoping to avoid both of them.
"Hey, I heard that" Draco replied. "Careful what you think Professor Granger."
"Go screw yourself Malfoy" she countered, and smiled. "Well, hurry up. I don't want you in my head any longer than you have to."
"And nor I" he replied.
The two professors left Hermione's room together and began to walk briskly toward the dungeons. Each was so busy trying to screen their thoughts that neither noticed the stares from passing students as they made their way to the only person who they knew could help them.
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Hey all. I know this chapter is a bit disorientating. It's meant to be a sequel to my last fanfic. My writing skills are a little rusty and I know this chapter didn't really make much sense in terms of introducing characters and flow. But if you like the story, please review and I'll write a more promising second chapter.