Chapter 1:

The homely walls filled Hermione with familiarity, as she walked through the old halls. She headed slowly toward the head office, her heels clicking loudly as she walked. The large eagle stood proudly guarding the entrance.

'Dangleberries', stuttered Hermione. The eagle slid aside to reveal the brooding staircase. She started, her shoes echoing against the stone staircase. Hermione reached the top and knocked the antique wooden door. She stood nervously playing with her auburn curls with one hand and with other, clutching the letter which had brought her here.

Dear Hermione,

I hope that you are well. I write to you know asking for a favour. Our current transfiguration teacher is going away on maternity leave and we need a temporary teacher. I thought I might offer you the position as I know you've always had a keen interest in the subject. The position is for 3 ½ months and you will be able negotiate your salary as you see fit. It will be an honour for the students to be taught by someone with your excellent credentials. Please owl me soon with your response and I shall arrange a meeting for us.

Hope to hear from you soon,

With Regards,

Headmistress M McGonagall

She had quickly wrote back saying she was delighted and the meeting was arranged. Somehow she had found herself standing outside of the headmistress's office.

'Enter', came the crystal cut voice from within.

Hermione fumbled with the door handle and stumbled awkwardly into the office. A low, warm chuckle filled the room, coming from the tall, thin woman who was sitting at a large oak desk. Hermione blushed deeply and lowered her eyes to the ground.

'Come in deary, take a seat', Minerva beckoned Hermione toward a plush chair in front of her desk, 'How are you keeping?'

'I'm very well thank you', Hermione replied, smiling up at the headmistress. She didn't look any older than when Hermione had seen her last. That had been graduation. Minerva's face was ageless so it was hard to put a number to the intimating woman in front of her.

The meeting passed in a blur in Hermione's mind, she vaguely remembered accepting the job offer and being amazed at the amount she would receive for such a short time of work. She had always wanted to be a teacher so being the transfiguration – even for just a short while - was a dream come true for her. She had said her goodbyes for Minerva for the time being. Her new job would begin in three days.

- 4 HOURS LATER -

Hermione sat twisting her hair idly in her fingers as she waited for Ron to come home. It was 12.30pm and she had been in the same place for the last two hours. She had finally made her decision and she wanted to go through it before he could change her mind. She wanted – needed- time away from him. On the floor beside her lay the letter from Minerva. She was only 24 and he was stifling her. The only thing he was interested was them getting married so they could start having the huge family he assumed she wanted. Hermione was only child which she did resent at times but that didn't necessarily mean she wanted nine. She was at her wits end and if she had to listen one more time to Molly telling her 'Time is ticking on', she was going to tear her hair out. This opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. She was fed up of having to live off Ron's family. It's not as if it was it crowded. The twins lived in a flat above their joke shop and Ginny had moved in with Harry at 12 Grimmauld place. It was just Molly, Arthur, Ron & Hermione. She had never felt so lonely.

After musing a bit longer, Hermione heard the front door to the burrow swing open. She timed Ron's approach and prepared herself. She stood up and brushed her aging clothes down. I'll be able to afford new clothes with this new salary she thought. She'd finally be able to treat herself for once.

'Hello Ronald', Hermione started politely as she tucked her hair behind her ears. Her large doe eyes focused on his large, bumbling form as he headed into the living room and plonked himself lazily on the sofa. He really did irritate her.

'Hey 'Mione', he replied not looking at her.

'I've got a temporary job Ron'.

'That's great babe', Ron said still not bothering to look at her.

'It's at Hogwarts, as the transfiguration teacher, for 3 ½ months and I'll be living there', she quickly said it so she didn't have to waste time with this conversation.

This managed to grasp Ron's attention to some degree, though it wasn't the reaction she had anticipated.

'No you're not' he said quite evenly barely glancing in her direction, missing her look of astonishment, 'You'll just have to find another job, which doesn't mean you moving away'.

'I think you'll find Ron, that I have already accepted and I'm leaving in three days – don't interrupt – I think this break well do us good', Hermione concluded. She began to leave the room to begin packing her things.

Ron stayed sitting on the sofa for a few shell-shocked moments, before jumping quickly to his feet and pursuing Hermione. He caught up with her as she put her foot on the first step of the gaudy staircase, grabbing her arm and spinning her around so she was facing him.

Oh dear, thought Hermione as she took in Ron's furious expression, I don't understand why he is reacting like this. His anger is entirely unjustified.

'What Ron', Hermione asked impatiently. She didn't have time for him right now, 'I think this break will do us both good'.

He didn't loosen his tight grip on her forearm. He moved so that his face was mere inches from Hermione's before he spoke:

'I'm going to say this one more time, you are NOT going to work a Hogwarts – don't interrupt me', he threatened, 'You can find another job, one which doesn't involve being miles away from ME'.

On the last syllable Hermione jerked her arm away and raced up the stairs up to her and Ron's room, where she preceded to lock the door before throwing herself in front of it, in vain attempt to put some distance between her and this stranger. She heard him stomping up the stairs, her heart was beating erratically. She held her breath as she heard him come to a stop outside the door. She almost screamed when he began to throw himself violently against the door, having left his wand downstairs.

'Why are you being like this?' Hermione calmly enquired.

'If it was up to me, you wouldn't even have a job. You'd be a housewife like you are supposed to be. Do you really think you're going away to work? I DON'T THINK SO 'MIONE', came his reply.

'I'm not your mother Ron', she said through gritted teeth back at him, 'I am done with you'.

'Fine, go. But when you get back, we are going to start doing things my way. The RIGHT way. Marriage and children. End of', he called back.

'I don't think you understand me Ronald, I'm leaving tonight and never coming back. Ever', Hermione concluded as her knees began to shake. Oh my, did I really just say that. Well, I'm not backing down. He can apologise first.

'Fine', shouted Ron, 'You aren't all that anyway. I can find a million girls who are prettier and better than you in a day, whereas you're not gunna find anyone who tops me'.

'You are so full of it Ron'.

'You're not the person I thought you were. Be gone in an hour'.

Devastated Hermione orderly packed her things, with a tear stained face, shrinking them so she could take everything with her instead of just a few months of things. She wouldn't stay in this house a moment longer than necessary. Ron sullenly retreated back to living room and as if the last few minutes had never occurred, sat down on the sofa and continued to read his newspaper.

10 Minutes later, Hermione came rushing down the stairs with her suitcases and possessions shrunk to fit into a small over the shoulder bag. Without a backwards glance to the man she thought had loved her, she disapparated to somewhere she knew she would always be welcome.