A battered Muggle boat came up to the docks of Hogwarts. Out of the dented hatch on the right side of the boat opened and Hermione stepped out. "Go away Ronald," she said with venom, "I never want to see you again!"
In her hands were suitcases labeled with dozens of cities. Florence, New York, London, all there. But she was not going to any Muggle city this time. She was returning to Hogwarts, were she would finally be away from the arse that broke her heart. Since the Second Wizarding War, Harry had accepted a job at Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She had decided, along with numerous other things, that she would send owls to both McGonagall and Harry asking if she stay there on a temporary basis, maybe a year, to resume her studies. She would, of course, pay for bed and board on the Eighth level of Gryffindor tower. While McGonagall was skeptical, saying this was not a Muggle hotel, were you could check in and stay for a night, Harry convinced her it was the best thing to do. He had sent owls saying he had changed her mind, but that Hermione would have to take on duties as head of the Gryffindor house. She had agreed, and on the bright side she wouldn't have to pay. But there weren't a lot of bright sides here. She wasn't doing this to resume her studies; she was doing it to escape Ron, who she had walked in on cheating on her. While Lavender and Ron both apologized, she hit them both with the Full Body Bind, and packed her bags, while booking a boat that she charmed to take her to Hogwarts. Ronald had Apparated from the dock and she had to deal with him for the past five-and-a-half hours. She had even had to deal with him when she Apparated the boat over land. When she got off the boat, Ron, who was as slinky and idiotic as ever, tried to follow her, but he was shocked by a bit of localized lightning. The grounds were magically protected from those who tried to enter without permission.
He called after her gruffly, "C'mon Mione! You can't expect to stay here forever! It was just one time! I need you, " he paused here, then continued pleadingly, "Please, don't go. Lavender- while, I sent her awa-"
"Ronald Weasley," she said, "I have put up with you for three years since the war. In that time you've got it into your head that if you just stay home, watch TV and charm brooms to clean, I need you. While Ron, I've got news for you. I can charm brooms even better than you can!"
Ron looked startled, but most likely because he knew she was leaving. Hermione turned to the castle. "Give Lavender my regards," she said, and walked towards the castle. Ron was about to say something, but over her shoulder Hermione pointed her wand at the boat and said, "Locomotor Boat," and the boat sped away.
Halfway to the gate, a black cloaked figure moved towards her. He was dressed in a cloak, a white collared shirt buttoned about three quarters of the way up, dress shoes and black pants. His hair was black and stood up in odd places and he was holding a wand, about 11 inches long. She recognized Harry! She ran forward and he sped towards her. She gave him a hug that about cracked his ribs and said, "Harry, I'm so glad to see you," and she smiled at him. He smiled also and said, "If your hug wasn't pinning both my arms to my sides I'd hug you back," his voice sounded hoarse. She looked up at his voice, different from three years ago, and she noticed a scar running along his throat. She let go of his arms and put a hand up to the old wound. "Oh my, Harry," she moved forward to hug him again, but he held up his arms in a mock-defense. "Please," he said, "No more hugging. I don't think my ribs could take it."
She pointed at his throat, "But what's that-," he grimaced at her words. "Sectumsempra curse. I acted as an Auror last year to round up a couple of die-hard Death Eaters. Took a little bit of me with them," he then muttered about Augustus Rookwood. Hermione covered her mouth. Harry smiled. "So I'll never sing Soprano again. Big deal. The scars why I took a liking to collared shirts, but, I was in a hurry."
He winked at her. She gave him a slightly watery smile and he smiled back. "I guess owls don't tell you much about a person's voice, do they?"
She said, "I guess they don't, do they?"
He smiled again. "Hey, no fair, that was my question," he said. She got up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed a brighter crimson than Ron's hair. "Hey, I'm married now."
She looked surprised. "What, when, where, and why wasn't I invited?"
"You were. But I believe Ron sent back an owl and said you had Dragon Pox. I thought he was lying," he said, glancing at her fair skin. "You should probably ask Ginny more about it. And I thought I had a good memory. She even remembers the Latin names of the corsage I gave her. Amazing," he mused. They were now walking towards the castle, their feet leading them like trained dogs. Harry then said, "The staff is quite simple. I'm D.A.D.A., Ginny's charms, Neville's Herbology, Luna's both Ancient Runes and Divination, we don't know how she manages. Binns remains as History of Magic, Cho Chang is Transfiguration and Draco Malfoy is Potions."
Hermione's jaw dropped like it was tied to a two ton weight. "He works here now?"
Harry nodded. "Since Slughorn retired a year ago. Don't give him trouble, Hermione. He's reformed… kinda. He still is a bit against me, but he is diplomatic. McGonagall reckons that we just don't get along because we represent different houses. Load of codswallop. However, he is now no longer prejudiced against Muggle-Borns. He seems to just dislike me," he smiled again, and said, "While, here we are, come on inside."