Well here I am again. Hermione stared at the castle ahead of her. She remembered how large it appeared when she first set her eyes upon it. The structure had been exciting yet looming and terrifying. Now, having it been her second home for seven years, it looked warm, welcoming, and considerably smaller. Yet Hermione still had that nervous jitter in her stomach. This was a new situation, a new world to her. And for the first time she didn't have the rest of the trio to follow. Hermione swallowed hard and began her walk up to Hogwarts.

She stood by the enormous oak doors outside the Great Hall. Damn they've already started the ceremony. She hesitated not knowing what to do. It was odd not having someone to direct and order her everywhere. She considered knocking but ruled against it. Hermione didn't want to make a grand entrance she just wanted a quiet slip inside. Is there a side door? She peered around the corner. Apparently not. Just as she was about to cry Hermione heard a voice she recognized.

"Hermione Granger? I must admit I'm surprised." Hermione turned to establish the voice as Professor McGonagall. She smiled in relief at the friendly recognition. She walked over to give her a hug.

"Hello, Professor." Professor McGonagall had always been Hermione's favorite. She had, had the most faith in her when she was a student.

"When Albus told me we would be having a teacher's aid at the school, who happened to be an alumni, I never would have expected you." Hermione gave her a quizzical look, not sure how to respond. McGonagall laughed at her expression. "Not that you don't have the excellent makings of a teacher but I always that you'd become an Auror or even Minister of Magic." Hermione laughed along. After graduation, she too had thought her future would proceed in that direction. That was what was expected of her, after all. So, she had started working at the ministry with Harry and Ron. It was exciting at first to have so many new tasks to complete. The work was challenging but it was nothing Hermione couldn't complete. Yes, it was compelling employment but eventually all the hype died down. Harry and Ron never got sick of it but for Hermione it grew tiresome. She needed separation from the group. Not that she didn't love the boys, she just felt like she needed to figure out who she was apart from the others. Looking back Hermione had realized that she never truly had a proper educational year at Hogwarts without interruptions. She knew that she needed to go back in order establish a real life for herself. Besides, she always fancied herself as a teacher.

"Well Ms. Granger, or I should say Hermione, you have arrived a tad late." McGonagall glanced toward the shut entrance.

"Oh yes, well, I was running behind schedule. To be completely honest I have no idea how to go in there except as a student." Hermione admitted with a slight blush.

"Luckily, there is a back way." McGonagall gave her a small smile and led her to a portrait down the side hall. It was a professor scarfing down a buffet. Hermione had to chuckle at it's obviousness. "Yes, not very discreet but it works well." She turned to the ravenous teacher. "Pickled Dragon Toes." Hermione made a face at the password. McGonagall caught the look. "Albus's idea of course." Hermione nodded just as the hungry man let out a large belch and swung open.

Hermione sat nervously picking at her food. She was between Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout. Now and then they turned to make idle conversation with her but most of the time she sat there quietly. Watching the students laugh and converse brought a pain to Hermione's heart. She felt lonely sitting at the long staff table. Especially since her subtle entrance was only noticed by Dumbledore, Flitwick, and Sprout. The others had been too distracted by the arriving meal. Hermione was somewhat grateful that she hadn't been noticed. She used this alone time look around the room. So much had happened in this hall. As Dumbledore began the new-year announcements the memories of years before started flooding back into her mind. The sorting, her reunion with the boys once out of the hospital wing, the tri-wizard ball, the great fight, all the times Griffindor one the cup, the numerous packages and news they received…

"…Our new teacher's aid Professor Granger." Hermione snapped her attention to the headmaster as heads turned to stare in her direction. Every professor and student had their eyes locked upon her; she wanted to crawl under the table. They were all clapping but only Dumbledore and McGonagall smiled. Everyone watched her as if expecting something. She smiled shyly and murmured a thank you.

After all the students were sent to bed Hermione was greeted by all her old teachers. Hagrid gave her an especially large hug that hurt her windpipes. Hermione felt a little better in the warm lighting of the staff lounge. The cozy setting combined with the friendly atmosphere lifted her spirits tremendously. She was sitting in a large armchair when Dumbledore approached her.

"Hermione I am happy to see you've arrived safely. I have a list of the teachers you'll be working with whilst you stay here." He handed her a schedule.

"Thank you Professor." She smiled and moved forward in her chair to grab the paper.

"Hermione you are a colleague now. Call me Albus. It is only natural." He requested causing her to blush with slight embarrassment at her ignorance. She nodded and read over the document. She could feel the sleep in her eyes and realized she had a question for Dumbledore.

"Professor…erm…I mean Albus, where will I be residing?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"I wondered when you'd be asking. This was a unique situation considering the students live within their dormitories and the teachers have rooms adjoining their classes. I therefore had to create a room for you. I believe it is quite perfect actually. I chose a spot between most of your classes, especially close to Transfiguration, which I believe is your first period. It is on the seventh floor opposite the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy." Hermione nodded along then suddenly stared at Dumbledore.

"But…Isn't that the Room of Requirement?" She was sure it was. Dumbledore beamed at her.

"I was hoping you would remember. That mind never does fail to prevail." This caused Hermione to blush yet again that night. "I have made adjustments to the room, however. It is under a serious lock so that one cannot enter without walking past three times and thinking the password. Also it is set to only fit the needs of the one who knows the code word." He leaned in so only she could hear. "So Hermione I shall tell you the password is 'snicker doodles' and will remain so until you change it. Which you can only do by walking past the room three time and thinking the old password and the new password together." Hermione nodded and Dumbledore gave her a warm smile. He turned to the room, announced his departure, and absconded. Hermione decided to finish reading her schedule. It looked like a lot of fun.

1st- Transfiguration –McGonagall

2nd- Charms –Flitwick

3rd- Care of Magical Creatures –Hagrid

4th- Herbology –Sprout

5th – History of Magic –Binns

6th – Defense Against the Dark Arts- Savage sounds familiar but I'm not sure who this is. Must be a new teacher. She looked around the room for a new face. No such luck.

7th- Potions –Snape

She stared at the last period. How could she have forgotten Snape? Not that he wasn't easy to forget. Even though he proved himself loyal during the Battle of Hogwarts, she still had the long instilled detest for him. She glanced around the room. Is he even here? Sure enough standing in the corner looking terribly droll was Professor Snape. No, wait, Severus now. She shivered at the thought of calling him by first name. It was too odd. As if he sensed her stare, Snape's eyes flicked in her direction. She quickly glanced down. Why am I still afraid of him? For God's sake I'm not a child anymore. Yet she kept her eyes from him from then on.

Her mind jumped back to her new room. It fascinated her and she became eager to go settle in. Yet the fire beside her was so welcoming. I could of course just put a fireplace in my own room. Hermione rose from her chair and bid goodnight to her new coworkers. She then headed off to her new room feeling exceptionally better than when she arrived. ~

Well this year is going to be fantastic. Severus thought sarcastically to himself. The beginning of the new-year was always tiresome. New idiot students meant new messes. And now, to top it off, a chipper Griffindor alumni to aggravate him. Severus sighed to himself. This is going to be a long year.

After the Great Battle Severus went back to work unsure of how to act. Did he become nice all of sudden? He attempted this kind ritual until one day of extreme annoyance he gave up. Eventually he slipped back into his old ways. It was what he had become accustomed to anyway. So they all forgot about the Battle, and his good actions. And they went back to hating him. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Severus was not a man who enjoyed surprises. Nor did he want anyone in his way while he worked. So, when Albus told the staff they would be having, for the first time at Hogwarts, a teacher's aid Severus was less than pleased. It was bad enough dealing with a new D.A.D.A professor but now he'd be followed around by an overenthusiastic amateur. He had to admit a slight shock overtook him at the sight of Hermione Granger but it was quickly followed by irritation. Of course his past would never leave. Severus almost considered it a curse set upon him that one of the Golden Trio had returned.

He sat in the teacher's lounge in his regular chair away from the groups and watched his colleagues go to greet Hermione Granger. They'll all be singing a different tune once they realize how much she gets in their way. Severus observed his former student. She looked like the same know-it-all overachiever as before. Though he wondered why she had abandoned the dimwitted duo. He turned his attention back to his tea. The room was such a nice temperature, Severus wanted to close his eyes and relax. But years of being a Death Eater had taught him to always keep sharp and attentive. He remembered having to stay up for days on end, when rest meant an automatic Avada Kedavra. Out of habit Severus touched the permanent branding on his left arm and cringed, as if he could see it. It made him sick to even think about it. The mark represented all the pain he caused by Voldemort's orders. All the murders of witches, wizards, muggles, mudbloods… Severus glanced at her Hermione Granger who immediately averted her eyes. Oh yes, this is going to be a long year.~