Disclaimer: *me* no owning nothing. Just a poor student who's kinda itchy. it's nothing detrimental (like lice or rickets.. do they make you itch? Oh well, I'm a student, that doesn't make me smart..) and no, you wont catch it from reading this. anyway moi, no own these characters, so don't sue, you know who really owns them. bob. Haha, just kidding, or am I?

A/N. ermm, the beginning ain't that fluffy, I mean that there's no smut, but it does get that way.. if you review. ;) anyway, other than that, I can't write for peanuts (not that I would anyway, I'm not that desperate yet) so feel free to write that in a review. but.. anyhoo, enjoy, or criticize. either way, tell me..:).
Porphyria's Lover

Hermione heard a familiar 'tap', 'scrape' coming from the window.

"Is it Harry dear?" Her mother called out to her, then mumbled "he should know better than to owl at this late an hour."

Hermione opened her bedroom window to let in the exhausted owl.

"No, it's not Harry" she mumbled to no one in particular. The owl settled on her dressing table and proffered it's left leg to her. She unattached the scroll and petted the owl, smiling as it hooted in delight. She began to open the seal and stop as she noticed the Hogwarts crest.

"Well, I never thought I'd see one of these again." She mumbled.

The letter read;

"Dear Miss Granger,

Congratulations for completing your wizarding degree (a late congratulations, I'm sorry) and for receiving a job at the Ministry of Magic in the department of mysteries.

I am aware, however, that there are few cases to be solved at present time, as many of Voldemort's secrets have been revealed since your seventh year. Addressing this, I would like to ask you to consider taking a part time job at Hogwarts as the stand-in Muggle studies professor. If it would not be too out of your way, there is a project that I would like you to work on with Severus, Minerva and Filibus.

Regards,

A. Dumbledore.

P.S. Minerva is anxious to see you again."

Hermione smiled to herself. It had been five years since she'd graduated from Hogwarts, and it was time that they had invited her back, for something other than a reunion.

"I wont take long, Mr. Owl, stop fidgeting." With that, Hermione 'accio-d' some pellets for the tired owl and sat down again to write her reply.

"Dear Headmaster,

I would be delighted to accept the available position of 'stand-in muggle studies professor'. If you do not mind I would like to arrive approximately two weeks before September 1st to prepare for lessons.

Yours,

H. Granger.

P.S. I would also like to see Professor McGonagall again as well."

She attached the letter to the owl and opened her window to allow it to leave. It hooted happily at her then swooped through her window. Hermione watched it until it disappeared into the dark horizon. She grinned shut the window and got back into bed curled up with her copy of "Hogwarts: a history". The book was hefty and after a while she lay it down on the side of her bed and turned out the light.

+ + + + +

The rain set in early to-night, The sullen wind was soon awake, It tore the elm-tops down for spite, And did its worst to vex the lake:

Severus cringed as he walked the darkened halls of Hogwarts catching unwary students on midnight rendezvous.

"Five points from each of your houses, now get back into your dorms." He snapped, not waiting for the two hidden students to flee from their hiding place behind one of the numerous statues at Hogwarts.

"Ah, Severus, I was just looking for you." Dumbledore met him at the next corner. He had startled Severus, but the younger man wouldn't let on, and the older man, knowing his pride stood still and twinkled.

"Why, Headmaster?"

"To tell you that the new muggle studies professor has agreed to teach here."

"And informing me of this at breakfast tomorrow was difficult because.?"

"Simply because you were up now and I have just received her letter of acceptance." The conversation was over and Dumbledore turned to leave. "Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Headmaster." Severus muttered, he smirked when Dumbledore acknowledged his note of departure.

Great, another muggle lover to add to the long list. Of course she's going to be a muggle lover, you git, she's a dirty muggle-born, and don't ever let me hear you think those words again Severus thought inanely to himself. After countless years wondering the dungeons and beyond, in dead night he had begun a series of rogue commentaries in his mind. Sometimes it got to the point where he thought he was becoming mad. No matter, Severus, it's not like anyone would notice anyway, so quit grumbling, you crazy old git.

Severus finished his rounds of the castle and headed toward his chambers to prepare for another night of restlessness.

+ + + + +

I listened with heart fit to break. When glided in Porphyria; straight She shut the cold out and the storm,

Dumbledore smiled widely as he watched the end of the sorting ceremony. For over forty years he had presided the sorting ceremony and never once did he witness the sorting hat put a student into the wrong house.

As the great hall settled down, Albus stood up to give his beginning of year address.

"I re-welcome all years again to Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and for the first years, I welcome you for the first in your seven years to come. This year, the second corridor in the dungeons and the divination tower are strictly forbidden. There is no explanation to be offered, all that can be said is that this place will remain a safe haven for all students, and that all years except first will know full well of our general reasons. Secondly, the forbidden forest is not for any student to traverse, those who wish to remove themselves from the school population will be found in there." He paused after his speech for effect, then began again.

"As all years, sans first, would have noticed, our muggle studies professor is absent tonight, she will be replaced by someone who is equally competent to hold the job. Behold our new muggle studies professor, Professor Granger." He stopped and smiled as the hall erupted in applause.

Hermione caught the twinkle in his eyes as she entered the hall, greeting the students, and all the while heading towards her seat at the end of the main table.

Sybil looked at her questioningly, and immediately Hermione wished she had asked the Headmaster to change the seating arrangements. She couldn't bear to be stuck next to Trelawny all night with her smelling like a cheap imitation of eau de gypsy-wise-woman. Hermione bore the brunt and looked up smiling pleasantly, she caught Minerva's eye and smirked. The older woman smirked back, and this elicited a quiet chuckle from Hermione's lips. This disappeared as she met the cold hard glare of Snape. She quickly propped her arm up on the table to block his visual barrage on her person before shoving her hand back to her lap as she realized how uncivilized she appeared.

She began to shovel down her food so she could escape the hall. Sybil's stench was beginning to make her drowsy and she noticed that Madam Hooch had already partially nodded off. Sybil, of course, though that Hooch was agreeing with her line of conversation and continued to flap her gums at her. Poor thing Hermione thought.

Snape averted his glare as he felt a hand fall on his shoulder.

"Calm yourself child." It was Albus.

"I can calm, Headmaster."

"Hmm, when you leave the hall, would you kindly request for Hermione to meet us in my office after dinner, Severus?" Albus continued as if Snape had been silent.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" Severus grunted.

"She'll leave before I do." Albus said matter-of-factly.

"What about Minerva of Filibus?"

"Child, they're too far away from me. I do not wish to inform all the teachers of our plans. and I do not wish to yell." This elicited another length of hard glare from Snape and Albus continued. "Please Severus, this hard stance you've taken against her is not going to make your working relationship easier. Get to know her, I'm sure you'll like her, just as the other professors." Albus twinkled and turned away to talk to Sinistra.

Severus finished his meal and stood to leave.

"Miss Granger." His silky voice trawled before he could help himself. She stiffened, as he knew she would, as memories of his terror resurfaced in her mind. You haven't been seriously frightened of him since seventh year, girl! He's not your teacher anymore, you're colleagues, act that way! Hermione took in a deep breath.

"Professor Snape."

"The Headmaster wishes to inform you of a meeting in his office after dinner." He didn't let her reply for hatred of relaying another pointless message.

"Thank you." She choked out. Damn, the greasy git doesn't even stay for a reply.

A few minutes after Severus left, Hermione gave her farewells and returned to her rooms to calm her nerves and take a nap.

On the way out she bumped into Professor Snape.

"Watch where you're going, Miss Granger." He snapped and proceeded to glare at her.

You are every bit his equal, Hermione! You shouldn't have to stand for this!

"That's Professor Granger, or Hermione," She paused, he continued to glare, "Severus." She finished and stalked passed him, unable to bear the brunt of his cold glare. No wonder he has no friends, he glares them all way. but what if his face is just stuck like that? It wouldn't be very fair, Hermione, what it he can't look different? She sighed and continued walking.

"Don't forget the meeting. Hermione." Snape snapped around and headed toward his dungeon after the initial shock of an ex-student somewhat reprimanding him had worn off. He remained angry until he got to his dungeons. Staying angry at the girl wont help, you old git! Listen to Dumbo and accept her. He cringed as he thought his reference to Albus. He smirked. what if Albus could read minds?

+ + + + +

"Strawberry Jam." Hermione muttered the ridiculous password for entry into Dumbledore's office. She stood on the top step as the Phoenix began to spiral its way up into the tower.

"You're late." Snape drawled.

"Child, you are just in time, pay no mind to Severus." Albus looked at Severus the younger man averted his glare.

"Thank you headmaster. if I may ask, what is this meeting about, and why is Draco here?" Hermione took a step back. "And Harry and Ron? Aren't they enemies? Isn't Draco," she lowered her voice, "a death eater?"

"He-" Snape began to glare.

"I'm a death eater, yes, but I'm also a turncoat, get your facts straight, Granger." Draco sneered.

"Well, it's not like they publicise things like that, Ferret boy." Harry replied for her.

"Shut up, Potty. Name calling, got old in seventh year didn't it? Nice to know you've matured since then."

"Harry, it's great to see you! You didn't tell me you were going to be here." Hermione ignored the two pairs of glaring eyes aimed in her direction. She walked past the protection of the headmaster and into the welcome arms of Harry and Ron.

"You didn't tell me that you were coming either, Hermione, but I guess, I already knew." Harry smiled secretively and Hermione broke partially from their embrace and turned back to the headmaster.

"Professor, why exactly am I here? What's the project?" She asked.

"Ah. Dear. We do want you here to teach muggle studies, but I'm afraid there is something slightly more important." Snape looked questioningly at Dumbledore.

"Miss Granger, we're working on a potion-"

"A transfigurised-" Minerva began.

"And charmed-" Filibus cut in.

"A potion. A potion to defeat Voldemort." Snape finished.

"Severus, I was just about to explain that." Albus raised an eyebrow at Snape. Snape raised his own back.

"Albus, she's not a blubbering first year, give it to her straight."

"I was not inferring that, Severus, you should know that. I wanted to explain to her how, and why we want her to be involved." Dumbledore looked at Hermione as he finished.

"Um, well, you could explain, yes." She began. "So, what will the potion do?" She glanced at Snape. "Besides defeat Voldemort." She continued icily, all the while looking sweetly at him.

"It will kill him." Snape answered her every bit as sweetly.

"This charmed and transfigurised potion will link Voldemort's life force with that of any individual. It will make it so that if the second person that drinks the potion," Dumbledore shot two glances at Minerva and Filibus before they could interject, "dies, then Voldemort will also die."

"But, Headmaster, assuming that any of us could get close enough to Voldemort to administer the potion, why don't we just use that opportunity to kill him?"

"My child, we have thought of that, but you must know, that as soon as anyone so much as raises a wand in his presence, they are removed from his ranks. In this room, Hermione, stands one of Voldemort's most trusted servants. Draco will be working closely with you and the professors while you develop this potion, after you have completed it, it will be he who administers it to Voldemort. The development of this potion is the reason for the forbidden class put on the third corridor of the dungeons and Divination tower."

"Sybil wont be happy," Hermione smirked to Minerva, but her smile faded as she again met the angry glare of Snape.

"No matter," Snape muttered.

"Well with that discussed, I will now leave you to your own devices." Albus left his office and left his seven uncomfortable guests to stand facing each other.

"You're all staying the night, aren't you?" Hermione broke the silence, addressing Harry and Ron.

"Yeah-" Harry began.

"Well, I'll be staying for a while. Voldemort's sent me to keep an eye on you, Granger."

"Being a lap-dog is nothing to brag about Draco, I wasn't asking you anyway."

"Miss Granger, I do hope you're not planning to go gallivanting around the castle tonight. If you are, you'll be disappointed as we have a meet to work on the potion as of now." Snape sneered at her. Well old boy, there's nothing more satisfying than successfully breaking up a meeting of the dream team.

Snape led the way out of Dumbledore's office, leaving Hermione somewhat shocked and angry. After all, she hadn't even agreed to help at all.

"Well, who's the lap-dog now, Granger? You better follow them, wouldn't want to be left behind now would you?" Hermione huffed, said her goodbyes to the boys and followed the retreating form of Minerva down the steps from the office and up to the divination tower.

"Great, never thought I'd see this place again." She muttered to no one in particular.

+ + + + +

Back in the office, the three boys stood in silence. Two were still, Ron was fidgeting.

"So, you want to go disguised down to Hogsmead and get some butterbeer?" Draco began.

"Wow, so after this many years you still can't hold your liquor?" Harry chuckled as Draco looked offended.

"It was just an offering of truce, potty."

"There's the name calling again, Malfoy." Ron said. "Despite your immaturity, however, we will go disguised to Hogsmead with you for a somewhat celebratory butterbeer."

With that the three boys left to the edge of the forbidden forest to apparate into Hogsmead.

+ + + + +

"So what is the potion supposed to be like?" Hermione asked, sure of their perceptiveness to her questions.

"Still so many questions, I see, Miss Granger." Snape drawled.

"What he means, Hermione dear, is that he thought you'd never ask." Filibus interjected. Snape shot fire at Filibus. The later smirked.

"The potion, Miss Granger," he took great emphasis to stress those words as if he had to remind himself that she had once been his student, a persistent one at that. "Is supposed to be like nothing." He stopped sensing her uncomfortableness. This was the way he liked it, it was in his comfort zone.

"Oh, okay then, so what is it specifically designed to do?" Hermione tried again, finding a more specific question. Geez, this man is still as anal retentive as he was in school. What! Did I just think that?! Hermione didn't have time to finish the thought.

"The potion, Miss Granger-"

"It's Hermione. You can call me that now."

"Fine, Hermione, the potion is designed to be charmed to a certain degree whereby it cannot be altered in purpose by an external factor after the potion has been completed. It's purpose, if that's what you meant in your vague question, is to link Voldemort's life-line with someone else's preferably a death eater. Voldemort must drink the potion first and the person we want him linked to, second. So that, if Voldemort is killed nothing will happen to that person, however, if the second person who drank the potion dies, so too perishes Voldemort."

"So, we know that Voldemort is heavily guarded, how's he actually going to drink it?" Hermione continued. She knew that they had gone over the basics in Dumbledore's office, but she needed to know for sure.

"Don't worry, Hermione, I'm sure Draco will think of something." Minerva smiled to the young woman reassuringly. "Anyway, we wanted to take you up here tonight to get you familiar with the ideas we're working on and the types of texts we're working with. So just take these," Minerva handed Hermione a selection of scrolls and textbooks. "When you've finished, I'm sure, Severus will allow you to do some work with him in his labs as well as up here. Other than that, goodnight, Hermione." The older woman left the tower to retreat back to her own rooms. Hermione followed suit.

+ + + + +

A/N. well that seems a good a place as any to leave it. don't you think? Yes? No? Tell me in a review. hehe. Please? I'm desperate.

-Kenobi.