CHAPTER ONE- TWO UNLIKELY CANDIDATES

Voldemort was gone. Yay.

Severus Snape had never realized just how boring life was without Voldemort around. No more espionage, no more reason to be snarky to children, no more excitement. And he was still stuck in these damn dungeons teaching idiotic dunderheaded children the intricacies of Potions.

He reached gratefully for the bottle of whiskey on the stand beside him. He required two or three glasses a day nowadays not to go insane.

Of course, there were those who already said he was insane.

But really, what good was it not being at war? How did people stand being normal all the time? There weren't even Rogue Death Eaters out there anymore, as Potter and Weasley had gone straight into training for Aurors and had quickly dispatched of them.

Three years, tomorrow, Voldemort would have been gone. Three years and he didn't think he could last one more day.

No.

He stood suddenly, throwing the glass into the roaring fire before him. He didn't think- he knew. He was done. No more.

He quickly made his way up to Dumbledore's office. Thank Merlin he had figured out how to create a potion to restore Dumbledore's hand as well as his magical core. Without Dumbledore, who knows how things would have gone.

"Severus, good morning to you." Albus Dumbledore greeted his protégée, the Potions Master. If he felt the glare Severus was giving him, he made no mention. "Lemon drop?"

"No thank you, professor." Severus said, looking distastefully at the candies. "Professor-"

"Please, Severus, call me Albus. You have not been a student here for many years." Dumbledore interrupted.

"Professor, please." Severus said, causing the elder man to sigh. "Sir, I have worked here for a little under twenty years for you. I cannot do it anymore. I apologize, but I cannot teach students potions for even one more semester without killing one of them."

Damn his eyes.

Dumbledore's eyes began twinkling, making Severus's scowl grow. "You cannot teach Potions for one more semester." He repeated.

"No sir, I cannot." Severus said. "It was understandable when I was a spy, but I can stand it no longer. Please consider this my resignation," he said, rising. "I shall be gone by morning."

He strode to the door, but it would not open. "Headmaster," he said, spinning around. "Open the door. I am not able to do this anymore. I cannot!"

"Severus, please sit down." Dumbledore said, in a kind but firm tone.

Severus sighed, dropping wearily down into the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.

Dumbledore took a moment to study his former spy. His black hair was longer than ever, he now had to bind it back, and it was unusually lacking in the greasy residue of his potions. His pale skin was ever more pale than usual, still standing out distinctly from his thick black robes. There were deep black marks under his eyes and he smelled deeply of whiskey, which was not good considering it was only seven in the morning.

"Severus, please, talk to me." Dumbledore implored. "You aren't brewing, something you love. You're as pale as a ghost- what happened to daily walks around the lake? You promised. It doesn't look as if you sleep at all anymore. And never have you been a big fan of whiskey."

"It's growing on me." Severus snapped.

"Please, my boy."

Severus sighed. "Headmaster, I told you then and I tell you now- I do not like children. I do not believe they should be allowed to study Potions if they have no interest. I do not believe any eleven-year-old should be able to mix explosive solutions. And believe it or not, being hated by generation after generation of children was never my goal in life."

"Good." Dumbledore said encouragingly. "Perhaps, if your teachings methods differed..."

"Headmaster, with all of the explosions I still am forced to bear, I dare not ease up any." Severus said, holding his head in one hand. "I cannot take it any longer."

"Very well, my boy." Dumbledore said.

"What?" Severus looked up eagerly. "You'll accept my resignation?"

"No." The Headmaster said, smiling. "You shall no longer be the Potions Master at the end of this semester. You however, have recently applied for another job."

"You're giving me the DADA position?" Severus was shocked, especially when Dumbledore nodded.

"At the beginning of next year, Severus." Dumbledore promised.

They had just come back from Easter break- the final semester of the year had only five weeks left.

Severus did something he hadn't done in 3 years- he smiled.

In a small flat in London, a brunette was hard at work. She had large tomes spread out on the table before her and she scribbled eagerly on a parchment, oblivious to her surroundings.

So oblivious, as a matter of fact, that she failed to see her black-haired counterpart enter their library. He stopped for a minute to watch her, but when she never once paused, he sighed and came over to her.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" He asked, laying a hand on the girl's shoulder.

It didn't stop her from jumping. "Harry!" She said brightly, turning to smile at her best friend. "How are you? What am I doing- why I'm working of course!"

"Mione, you passed your Masters- you ought to be done working." He scolded affectionately, taking the quill from her hand.

"But now I have full clearance to begin creating!" She protested, looking forlornly at her favorite eagle feather quill.

"What happened to going out to celebrate?" Harry asked. "Me and Ron have been waiting for half an hour for you."

She sighed. "You and Ron and Luna and Pansy have been waiting." She corrected. "And while it's great that I passed, I really don't feel like being a fifth wheel, Harry, I'm sorry. I thought I had explained that to you and Ronald this morning. Obviously you two didn't listen to me. There's nothing to celebrate yet."

"Mione- you got your Masters in three years!" He exclaimed, taking the seat next to her. "That is a big deal. It takes most people eight to nine years. You've been doing nothing but studying. And Ron and I didn't bring the girls- we just wanted to hang out with you tonight. And Ron has authorized me to use force to get you there." He said, pulling his wand out with a grin.

"Harry James Potter, don't you dare!" Hermione exclaimed, jumping up.

He was faster, lazily flicking his wand, exclaiming, "Petrificus Totalus."

Instantly her body froze and he caught her before she fell to the ground. He conjured shoes onto her feet and then lifted her easily onto his shoulder, apparating.

An instant later, they arrived to their normal booth at the Three Broomsticks. Ron was waiting for them at their usual booth and Madam Rosmerta came over shaking her head as Harry released Hermione, once she was trapped in the booth between him and Ron.

"You study too much child." Madam Rosmerta scolded the girl.

"I was just kidnapped!" Hermione exclaimed, glaring at both boys.

"Hi Mione!" Ron said happily. "Harry, mate, you did take her wand didn't you?"

"Oh no!" Harry said, as Hermione smirked and pulled it out of her robe pocket.

"You'll get yours, boys." She vowed. "Madame, may I have a butterbeer please?" She asked, smiling politely at the older woman.

"Of course, dearie." The elder woman said. "Now you be nice to these boys, they're only trying to help you." She added, bustling away.

"Yeah, Mione." Ron said enthusiastically, watching Madame Rosmerta until he could see her no more.

"Well, I know why we frequent this place," she teased him as a golden butterbeer suddenly appeared before her.

Ron blushed. "Anyways." Harry said, lifting his firewhiskey. "To Hermione, on her Masters."

"To Hermione!" Ron agreed, and the three clinked bottles.

"I'm so tired." Hermione admitted, taking a long drink. "I'll admit, this has been tough."

"So, what are you doing now, Hermione?" Harry asked curiously. "You never talked about plans afterwards."

She grinned mischievously. "I begin a job soon." She said smugly, taking another sip.

"Really?" Ron asked. "How? You've only left the flat when we dragged you out."

"You don't know my every movement." She said. Then she grinned sheepishly. "But, actually, they sent me an owl. I didn't even apply."

"Wow, that's really brilliant, Hermione." Harry said, grinning. "When do you start?"

Her grin grew, if possible, even bigger. "September 1st, officially."

Both boys spat out firewhiskey. "You're working at Hogwarts!" They exclaimed as one.

"No way." Ron said.

"I don't believe it." Harry agreed. "They finally sacked Snape?"

"I don't know." Hermione admitted. "But, right before I became a certified Potions Mistress, Dumbledore sent me a letter. I don't know where Snape is, though I do hope he won't be there. I stole his honor- he was the youngest Potions Master ever, before me. But I accepted. Do you think I'll be a good teacher?"

Now both boys laughed. "Mione, you got us through seven years." Ron said.

"You were definitely the best Gryffindor in Potions." Harry admitted. "If not for Snape, you'd probably have been the best in class."

Ron suddenly leaned forward, frowning. "Wait a minute. Does this mean you're going to be head of Slytherin house?" He asked.

She frowned. "I don't know. I don't think so, but if I am I am, I suppose. I'm very excited. And I'm sorry I missed this meeting, but it suddenly occurred to me that being the Hogwarts Potion Mistress won't leave me time for much independent dabbling, so I thought I'd just have to enjoy my few months of freedom. I have to report to Hogwarts at the beginning of August. So, I have the rest of this month and just June and July."

"If you think that's going to let you off the hook for not leaving the flat, you have another thing coming." Harry warned her.

"Yeah." Ron said, trying to look stern. "You are going to do other things. And," he went on, "You're going to meet us once you go there. Don't think being at Hogwarts excuses you from these monthly meetings."

"Don't think we won't come to Hogwarts and get you." Harry said, squinting his eyes at her.

"Aw," she said, hugging them both. "You guys are adorable. Of course, you're both insane. You ought to be concentrating on your girlfriends."

"You're our girl, Mione." Ron said, leaning over and draping an arm over her. He was taller than ever, at least 6'6, so it looked quite comical, but neither cared. "If we didn't care for you, who would?"

"Yeah. You refuse to date." Harry agreed. "And you hide in our library most nights."

"But we have so many books I haven't read!" Hermione protested. "We finally got the Black books cleared out of Grimmauld Place. Think of it from my perspective- it's like...like having a brand new broomstick and not having time to ride it."

She tried, for once, to appeal to their Quidditch instincts. Neither boy's love had lessened for the game, though both turned down Professional teams.

"Well that's foolish, Hermione." Ron scoffed. "Of course we'd find time to ride a new broom."

"And I want to take time to read each and every new book." She said. Then she sighed. "I have so little time now. In a way, you guys were lucky. You started your careers after very little training."

Harry grinned. "Technically, we've been preparing since we were eleven. Fighting Dark Lords, evil professors, Slytherins..."

"Harry, not all Slytherins are evil." She scolded affectionately. "Really, you must stop those assumptions. But I guess, in a way, we have really had a seven year training regime."

Hermione stuck around for an hour or so, but then she had to leave for her dabbling once again.

Harry and Ron stuck around, ordering another round of firewhiskeys to talk about their best friend.

"Ron, I'm really getting worried about her." Harry confessed. "She can't stay cooped up like this."

"I don't know what else we can do, mate." Ron said, looking just as worried. "We can barely get her to come out with us once a month. If not for us, I don't think she'd ever leave the library. You know what we need to do?"

"Get her back with Krum?" Harry asked sourly. "I talked to him- he said she broke up with him with no real reason. Said she'd write to him still, but not date anymore. He was really upset."

Ron shrugged. "I don't about Vicky, but we have to get her a guy. He was never good enough for her." He added sourly. Ron's hatred for Victor Krum had lasted long past his crush on Hermione.

"He wasn't really her type." Harry conceded. "We need a guy that Hermione could like. But who?"

"Percy." Ron snorted. "Someone who follows all the rules."

"Yeah, but doesn't bore her to death." Harry laughed. "And I think you're brother is happily married to Penelope."

"I suppose." Ron agreed, not wanting Hermione with Percy anyways. "What about Bill? He was Head Boy."

"How about not your brothers, or at least not the married ones." Harry suggested, laughing. "Which leaves who, Charlie and the twins, right? But Fred is engaged to Angelina and George to Alicia. What's Charlie up to?"

Ron shook his head. "Won't work. Charlie never wants to get married. Mum's furious. Last time he came home he told her he'd rather be gay than ever settle down with one girl."

Harry laughed. "That's great. But it doesn't exactly help us. Mione's brilliant, she has to have someone up there with her, but who?"

"A most intriguing question, boys." A voice behind them suddenly said.

They swung around, both jumping to their feet when they saw the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall. "Professors!" The two boys exclaimed in unison.

"Good evening, boys." Minerva McGonagall smiled down at two of her favorite students to ever pass through her house. "May we join you?"

"Sure, Professors." Harry said, gesturing to the seats across from them. "Please."

They waited for the professors to join them and then Dumbledore spoke, "We couldn't help but overhear your problem with Ms. Granger's most interesting predicament."

Both boys flushed. "Please don't tell her." Ron blurted. "She'd be awful mad."

"On the contrary," Professor Dumbledore said, smiling serenely. "We'd like to help you."

"You would?" Ron said. "Why?"

"Ms. Granger was one of the smartest students to ever pass through our distinguished school and a delight." McGonagall said. "Why wouldn't we want her happy?"

"Do you have any ideas?" Harry asked. "Honestly, we're not sure who to even think of. She never really dated in school besides Victor Krum and we're still not exactly sure what she saw in him. She always complained that he just watched her."

"And none of my brothers would work, or really any of the guys we went to school with. She never really liked any of them that way. "

McGonagall leaned forward, an odd small smile on her face. "Have you ever thought that maybe she wasn't exactly suited for your generation?"

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, confused.

"Surely you've noticed she always seemed...slightly more mature than others of your age." Professor Dumbledore said slightly. "We believe, truthfully, that Hermione wouldn't be happy with anyone her own age. Perhaps you should look to an older gentleman for your friend."

Suddenly, Harry was suspicious. "You sound as if you've thought this idea through a few times, Professors."

Dumbledore's eyes began twinkling. "But of course, my boy. Sometimes the topic did show up. I don't think any of you realized just how precious that girl was to many of her professors. We only want the best for all of you."

"And did you pick a fellow out for her?" Ron asked, looking a little comfortable at the thought that perhaps the teachers talked about them behind their backs as much as the students had talked about the teachers.

Dumbledore just gave a small smile. "Just keep our advice in mind." He said. "While we haven't chosen a suitor yet, we feel it would be best if she stuck with an older man. Someone with interests like hers, maybe a maturity level like hers."

Harry nodded. "Yes sir. Maybe that would be for the best." He said, pondering the thought. "Well, we had better get going." He said, almost regretfully. He enjoyed talking with his former professors, though he could never get used to calling them by their first names.

"It was good to see the two of you again." Minerva said. "I hope that you two will come visit more often, now that Hermione will be joining our staff."

"I don't doubt it." Ron laughed. "We have to come drag her out now and we live with her. Now she'll be hiding in the dungeons like Snape always did."

"It'll be good to come back." Harry agreed, almost wistfully. "Now that we have a good excuse."

"You are always welcome, my boy." Dumbledore said, smiling happily. Even after saving the wizarding world, Harry was still as shy and unassuming as he ever was. Dumbledore couldn't be more proud. "All alumni are, of course," he added, seeing Harry's hand go to his forehead, where his scar would always remain.

"Thanks for that, Professors." Harry smiled gratefully, even if he doubted the validity of Dumbledore's words. It made him feel better.

And with that, the two young men were gone.

Minerva turned to Albus with a grin. "Exactly how long reaching is this plan of yours?" She teased her friend. "Hermione doesn't even come to the school for two more months and then you know he'll be angry at his replacement for several months after that."

Albus sighed. "I fear those two will need as much time as possible." He said. "Especially young Mr. Weasley. It won't be until they get to thinking that they will realize how perfect he is for her."

Minerva couldn't hold back a grin, looking suspiciously like a cat that had eaten a canary. "The next school year is going to be quite fun."

Albus could only nod in agreement. "You couldn't be more correct." He said, eyes twinkling brightly.