Disclaimer: The Queen, JKR, owns everything that doesn't sound familiar!

Author's Note 1: This is my first fic, please be nice! I even beta'd it myself because I'm super picky. Haha.

Author's Note 2: This is going to start off a bit slow, since I feel the need to set a bit of background, I'm all for character growth/development

Author's Note 3: I love constructive criticism. Don't be an ass. I know this pairing isn't everyone's cup of tea, but clearly if you're reading this, then you obviously don't mind. If you're going to just be negative about it, please take your hatred elsewhere. Fair warning, don't get butt hurt if you're rude and I tear into you.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The sun rose on what promised to be a beautiful spring day on the morning of April 11, 2000. With the birds on the tree outside of her window trilling their harmonious sound, Hermione Granger woke up to what promised to be another unfulfilling day at the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry of Magic.

Mere months after the final battle, Minister Shacklebot flooed her at her flat in Muggle London to offer her the job. At the time it seemed like a marvelous idea, what with Ron and Harry working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement training to be Aurors. Not to mention, after their heat of the moment kiss in the Chamber of Secrets during the final battle, Ron and Hermione were practically inseparable. Each night found Ron cuddled with Hermione on the couch of her flat, or with the two snuggling in Ron's room at the flat he and Harry shared.

Everything was going well, and despite the fact that they had only officially been dating for 6 months, everyone expected a wedding in the future, seeing how smitten the two were with each other. And being oh so cliché as only Ron could be, on Christmas Eve in front of a packed Burrow, he got down on one knee and asked Hermione to marry him. She naturally accepted, toasts were made to their future, and Hermione excitedly started planning their wedding in her off time from work. Then just a short time later, it all went to hell.

The sun was starting to set and it was almost dinner time on Valentine's Day. Hermione had a magically enlarged basket holding a bottle of wine, two glasses, and the special dinner she prepared and kept warm with a Stasis Charm sitting on the kitchen table. She took a last minute look at herself in the floor length mirror in her bedroom. She had on a beautiful black and silver tank dress with red heels and her hair had been tamed and pulled up into a side bun with a few ringlets framing her face. She checked her make up one last time and applied her lip gloss. She couldn't wait to surprise Ron; and knew they'd have the flat to themselves as Harry was taking Ginny out to a fancy restaurant, then getting them a hotel room for the night, as he was planning on proposing to her.

Hermione grabbed the basket and flooed to the boy's flat, intent on seducing Ron and giving him a night he would never forget. She stepped through and was brushing the soot off her dress when she heard loud panting and groaning. Her first thought was that Ron was ill and retching in the bathroom. She set the basket down on the table in the living room and started to walk back to the bathroom. As she walked by the open dining room, she stopped dead in her tracks. She stood there for several moments, mouth gaping, her brain trying to process what her eyes were seeing. Before her very eyes, her fiancé had a fistful of hair and was thrusting into none other than Pansy Parkinson who was bent over the dining room table, her nails leaving scratch marks with each thrust.

"RONALD! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?!" screamed Hermione.

Ron didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed as he finished with a few quick thrusts and pulled out.

"'Mione, what are you doing here? I thought you were working." He said.

"That's your answer to what I just walked in on? You thought I was working?! So, you're not even upset or remorseful?"

"Well, you see…Pans and I met up one day at lunch and we hit it off. I swear I was going to tell you! I never wanted to hurt you, but you and I don't seem to have a physical connection anymore. You never want to do anything. Do you know how frustrating that is? I do have needs. And when Pansy and I are together, I can't explain it. It's almost like…imagine you've been without water for days and just when you think you can't take it anymore, you finally get a taste of water and it's as if you've never had anything that wonderful before. That's what being with Pansy is like. I'm so sorry 'Mione, I really am."

"Right Ron, you sound so sorry. I can't believe I wasted my time on you. You have no idea how hurt I am right now. I never want to see your face again. The only time you're allowed to speak to me is for work and that is all. By the way, I hope you and Pansy enjoy the damn dinner I made for us."

As Hermione was turning to leave the room, she smirked, whispering "Furnunculus" under her breath, taking great pleasure in the shrieks and yelps she heard coming from the dining room as she flooed back to her flat. 'So much for a night he won't forget. More like a night I won't forget." When she arrived back home, she promptly changed into a pair of sweats and grabbed a bottle of wine out of the fridge. She popped a movie in her dvd player, and about halfway through, as tears were rolling down her cheeks, she realized that Love, Actually probably wasn't the best movie choice; all things considered.

When she woke up the next morning, she had owled Harry & Ginny who promptly tore into Ron, then told Molly Weasley all about it. Hermione let out a weary laugh as she read their response about what Molly did to Ron. After that, Hermione seemed to turn in on herself and become a shell of her normal self. The hours turned into days, which turned into months, and found her waking up this morning, dreading going to the Ministry. Oh, not because she would have to see Ron, she got over that finally; but because she had long since grown tired of the day to day monotony. Her job was no longer fulfilling and she found herself in the doldrums as she wished for something more enjoyable.

Hermione showered and dressed in her drab Ministry robes. She entered her kitchen and made a pot of coffee. While she was waiting for it to finish brewing, she buttered her bagel and snacked on some fruit. As the coffee finished, she poured the steaming liquid into her travel mug and cast a quick Scourgify on the pot and placed it back on the maker. She walked over to the hearth and as she was throwing floo powder into the fireplace an owl tapped on her window, holding a letter in its beak.

"Really, I don't have time for this! I'm running late as it is!" Hermione sighed, exasperatedly

She let the owl in, took the letter from the owl with one hand, and offered it a few owl treats with the other. The owl took flight and left, the window closing quickly behind it. Hermione stuffed the letter into her robe pocket as she flooed into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. It wasn't until Hermione was about to go on lunch that she remembered the letter in her pocket.

Dear Miss Granger,

I am writing to you because Septima Vector just informed me that she is apparently retiring and will not be returning for the upcoming school year, which leaves me with a situation on my hands; as I'm sure you realize. I seem to recall that despite doing exemplary in all of your classes, you seemed to have a particular knack for Arithmancy.

Which leads me to the point of my letter; I was wondering if you'd grace the castle with your prodigious intellect and become the new Arithmancy professor. Lord knows we could use some fresh young blood on the staff. While not being old by any means, I'm sure you know Severus isn't very genial and isn't conducive to a cheerful environment.

I do genuinely hope you accept, it would be most lovely to have another Gryffindor around to converse with on a regular basis. I'll give you a few days to come to a decision; I would appreciate your answer within a week's time. I look forward to hearing from you soon; it's been far too long my dear.

With love,

Minerva McGonnagall
Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione sat gobsmacked at her desk. This was the out she was looking for! Minerva wasn't lying when she said Hermione had a penchant for Arithmancy, it was her true passion and for ages wanted to get into the field, but nothing ever presented itself. She mainly dabbled at the amateur level, hoping something at the professional level would appear; but much to her chagrin, Kingsley's offer of boring office work was the only one to present itself. She stared at the letter on her desk for a few more moments. Was this something she could really do? She wanted out of the Ministry badly, but did she want it badly enough to deal with a mass of children? 'Yes' she thought to herself, standing up from her desk. In her time at Hogwarts, those that took Arithmancy were some of the most intelligent, respectful students she ever interacted with, so she knew teaching the class would be a breeze.

She stopped into her boss's office to let him know she was leaving for lunch and might be back a bit late. He waved her one with a smile and a "No worries!" Not that she expected it to be an issue anyways, she was there best employee after all. She entered the lift and went down the main floor of the Ministry. She exited the building and quickly ducked into a nearby alley and the apparated with a pop! and found herself on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. As Hermione strolled up the path and Hogwarts came into view, she couldn't help but marvel at how far the castle had come since the final battle. Staff, witches, and wizards alike had spent the summer months attempting to restore the castle to its former glory before the next term started. They were for the most part successful, only minor things still needing work once September arrived. It almost seemed as if fall didn't exist that year, for by October, the grounds were covered in snow, halting the final few repairs. Once winter left, and the castle began to thaw, everyone could get back to the last of the damage. After the students went home for summer, repairs continued in full force.

As Hermione reached the gates of the castle, she was awestruck and how miraculous the castle appeared; clearly those who had helped with the damages from the war had returned the castle to better than stellar standards. She placed her hand upon the wrought iron as she gazed at the castle lovingly and couldn't help but think "I'm back home." Sensing Hermione meant no ill will, the gates thrummed with magic and creaked open, granting her admittance. Hermione quickly crossed the grounds and climbed the steps of the castle and entered the Entrance Hall. As swiftly as the moving staircases would allow, she made her way to the Headmistress' office. Standing in front of the gargoyle, Hermione realized she had no clue what the password was to gain entry. "Shoot! Well, maybe Minerva kept with the candy theme. Here goes nothing"

"Uhm…Lemon drop?" Hermione guessed.

Luck was apparently on her side as the gargoyle sprung to life, revealing the staircase. Hermione stepped on the stairs, and as they wound their way upward, she tried and failed to make a plan of what she wanted to say to Minerva. As she reached the top, she stepped in front of the door and stood there for several minutes, debating with herself about whether she really wanted to follow through with this or not. Finally, she gathered her courage, and exhaled a big breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came the distinguished Scottish voice of the Headmistress

Hermione opened the door and walked into the office with a sheepish smile.

"Miss Granger! What a lovely surprise! I take it you received my owl? I must say, I was expecting an owl in return, not a face to face visit. I'm very pleased to see you. Sit, sit! I'll pour you a spot of tea." Minerva said.

"Hello Minerva! Yes, I did get your letter and I had some extra time for lunch so I figured that I'd just pop in and talk with you in person. I hope you don't mind?"

"Oh no dear, not at all! I take it since you've come all this way that you've decided to accept? I do hope so. Septima has gone and found herself a man, of all the silly things; and has decided she wants to go off gallivanting with him since she's in love. It's clearly put me in a bind and I hope you're willing to help me out, as no one besides you is even comparable to Sinistra."

"Actually, you couldn't have caught me at a better time. To be quite honest, I had kind of hit the point where I dreaded going into work every day. It's not that it's a bad job by any means! I just feel…bored. It isn't challenging or fulfilling me at all anymore. I believe this is exactly what my life could use right now! And as you mentioned in your letter, I do simply adore the discipline and would love to teach the children!"

"Well as you know, Arithmancy used to be offered from third year up; however, the number of third and fourth year students choosing to take the class has declined the past few years. That being said, we've decided to only offer the class from fifth year up; with seventh year being your 'Advanced' or 'N.E.W.T.' level class. The fifth and sixth year classes will all be separated by houses, and at the N.E.W.T. level, all of the houses will be in the same class. Does that sound acceptable to you?"

"Of course! I was thinking about it before I came here today, and I always remembered how respectful and hard working the Arithmancy students were while I was a student here, so I'm genuinely looking forward to it!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm glad to hear it! Now, I suppose you will have to let your boss at the Ministry know that you're planning on leaving. So once you talk to him, owl me and let me know when your last day will be and we can then focus on moving you into the castle. I do hope you'll be moved in come May, that way you can begin working on your schedule and lesson plans and I can take a look at them. By the time you move into your rooms, I should have a list of all the students that have elected to take the class. Once you leave today, I'll have the elves begin to ready your chambers. I suppose you have to get back to the office now? I'm sure I've kept you long enough." Minerva inquired.

As Hermione looked at her watch, she muttered, "Oh shoot! You're right. I have been gone a while. I'd best be heading back to the office! Expect my owl within a few days. It's been lovely seeing you again Minerva and I can't wait to be back."

They exchanged 'good-byes' and Hermione exited the office. She walked down the numerous flights of stairs, 'That's going to take some getting used to again' and had almost made it through the entrance hall before she heard a snarky but silky voice call out,

"I see the know-it-all has returned. I wondered how long it was going to take. Thankfully I didn't have to deal with your overbearing presence; you seem to be on the way out." Severus Snape drawled.

"Actually, Severus, I was catching up with the lovely Headmistress. Something you could clearly stand to do more often. Perhaps if you did, you'd know that by the end of the month you will be dealing with my 'overbearing presence' on a more permanent basis." Hermione retorted in the sweetest voice she could muster.

Arms crossed and an eyebrow rose, "Excuse me? What on Earth are you blathering about?"

"Oh you didn't hear, Professor Vector left and Minerva asked me to take over and teach Arithmancy starting this coming term." Hermione explained, a ball of glee starting to form in her stomach.

"There is no way. Surely I would have heard about this. I know Minerva is desperate, but to hire a swot like you, clearly she's been hanging around Dumbledore too long." Severus muttered.

"Well," Hermione started, a smirk starting to form "perhaps if you came out of your dungeons more often and partook in some human contact every once in a while, you might be kept 'in the loop' so to speak."

"And how prey tell would you know about my interacting habits, Miss Granger?"

"Oh I've watched you for many years Severus, even back when I was a student. You're as predictable as Ron is dense. But don't fret; I plan on getting the big, greasy bat out of the dungeon"

Hermione winked and walked away, but not before witnessing the way Severus' eye's bulged slightly in shock before schooling his face into a grimace. As she approached the front door to the castle, she heard him mutter,

"Impertinent chit! Not only do I have my afternoon ruined with her presence but now Minerva has the gall to make me work with her? Merlin, help me"

'This is going to be a fun year. I don't know what possessed me to be so bold to Professor Snape, but his reaction certainly was funny. I suppose it's payback for all those years he tormented me as a student. Well, seeing as I'm staff now I don't have to bite my lip anymore. One thing's for certain, this is going to be interesting. I wonder how far I can push him? Perhaps I can beat the Potion's Master at his own game." Hermione thought as she made her way to the front gate and apparated back to work.

Author's Note: Please review and let me know what you think. I'm open to suggestion's for ideas and where this story will go!