Hermione sat gazing sadly up into the sympathetic eyes of Minerva McGonagall, The Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

'I appreciate your assistance in my time of greatest need.' She whispered, bowing her head in submission.

'You are very dear to me indeed my child; I could not let you go through this alone.' Minerva said, holding out her veiny hand which she enclosed over Hermione's. 'These are very sad circumstances indeed.'

For a second Hermione felt fresh tears appear in the corner of her eyes, but she forced them back. She could not afford to break down now; after all she was actually at an interview for a job, not a friendly meeting in which she was allowed to cry as she pleased, even if the interviewer was a very close friend. Also, she had to be strong now, it had been a whole month since her Husband had died, and she had two grieving children to look after. It was clear that although her husband had left her a great sum of galleons to her, she could not spent her eternal days hidden away in their house alone with her thoughts, that would be too much to bear. That's why she was here right now, acting on a sudden impulse, as if some was giving her guidance, she had decided to seek out a job to pass the time. Hermione could think of no better place to work, than Hogwarts, where she had learnt her art, and indulged in her love of witchcraft. She in fact had passed her final exams with results scoring higher than any student had in the past 80 years, a celebration for all who had helped her achieve it. However, after a night of letting her guard down her heart had been won (with the help of a lot of Firewhiskey and wine) by none other than one of her old love interests, Victor Krum. Their relationship had soon blossomed, but had never gotten that serious, until the day Hermione had discovered she was pregnant with his child. On another drunken whim Victor had proposed and the couple had wed not long after, spending their honeymoon trekking half way around the world but unbeknownst to him his relaxed lifestyle would soon change, as he would soon be the father of identical twin boys.

Hermione's knowledge had allowed her to pick up all variations of thrilling jobs worldwide, ranging from a charms teacher for advanced teen wizards and witches in southern Spain, to her favourite job so far, Head of Protection of extremely endangered magical creatures in the depths of Finland, bringing her more than accommodating family with her. From the beginning of their relationship Victor had made it quite clear he showed no real interest in Hermione's careers, nor did he show any enthusiasm to her suggesting a career change for himself, for Krum, it was Quidditch or nothing. Over the years they had been together he had stuck to the Bulgarian team, protecting (with little competition) his title as the world's greatest seeker, it was his love, his art, and as soon as his boys could walk he had set out their future in Quidditch, for them. Merely months after their first steps both boys could fly more competently than most Hogwarts first years, and showed promising signs of being great players. Aleksandar, who was the oldest twin by about 15 minutes, was already built like an American Footballer by his fifth birthday, therefore making him a clear contender for the position of Beater. However, his much smaller (and slighter), and quite introverted brother Beau shared more of his mother's personality, and therefore preferred honing his skills as a Seeker, following in his father's very proud footsteps. Krum had insisted that the boys have strictly Bulgarian forenames, so that they were ever reminded of his Bulgarian heritage, but a week before their birth Hermione had managed to persuade him to let her name one of her children after one of her dearest French friends that she had met whilst working in Paris, who both boys enjoyed the company of greatly, spending many school holidays under his care.

Life had been sweet, and relatively simple, until Victor's abrupt and unexpected death. He had taken a whack to the head from a violent bludger, and had fallen to his immediate death whilst playing a league game against the Russian team a few months before the twins 11th birthday, on which they would receive letters to either attend Hogwarts, or Durmstrang Institute. He had insisted that his children would become advanced in the arts of magic at the same place he had, but Hermione was no weak Witch, and had argued her case and made him agree to let the boys decide. However, they had been divided on the subject, it being very clear who had sided with which parent. Aleksandar wanted glory and power at Durmstrang, whilst Beau wanted more than anything to widen his already extensive mind at the likes of Hogwarts.

'I don't think there is any question of whether you are right for the job Mrs Krum, if you wish to take it, the offer is there.' Minerva said smiling, waving a hand to dismiss an elf that had been waiting patiently throughout the whole interview, holding two goblets of rich wine. As he left he settled them down on his master's desk, bowed and promptly vanished into thin air.

Hermione honestly wanted to go home and talk to her children and her best friends Ronald and Harry before she accepted the position of Charms Teacher at Hogwarts, but she knew that the longer she left it, the more pain it would cause her heart to be finally settling down, without her husband by her side. It was now, or never.

'Mum! Do Beau and I have to share everything? I want all my own stuff for once!' Aleksandar exclaimed as he pressed his nose up against the glass of the newly opened Quidditch store, which stood at the heart of Diagon Alley, admiring the newest Firebolt, version 12.

'No Alek. You and you're brother are separate people. You will both have separate supplies for school.' Hermione said softly and ruffled her son's thick, curly brown locks. 'Now, where would you like to go first?'

Hermione was rather proud of her ability to keep up with the energetic twins, following them from store to store, helping them choose all the things they needed, before paying and having to catch up with them, at quite some speed. However, she didn't mind. Most mothers would probably frown upon her letting her boys act like this, but then most mothers wouldn't understand how hyper and restless her children got at bedtime if they hadn't burnt off all their seemingly endless energy. To say her boys were their fathers children, would be a definite understatement.

'Beau! Get back here now!' She eventually called, her patience now wearing. It was nearing the end of the day, and almost the end of the shopping trip, all they had left to buy was many sets of robes for the boys (if she bought only one pair they would be muddy, ripped and undeniably ruined by the end of the first week) wands and a pet for each of the boys, Alek had been set on buying a lizard of some sort, but Beau's fear of anything slimy, and first years not being allowed them, had put that firmly out of the equation. Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions was their next destination, and within minutes the boys were on stools, magical pins being poked and prodded in every nook and cranny. Hermione felt tears spring into the corners of her eyes, and without much of a fight, she let them fall freely. But they weren't tears of sadness, but happiness. Despite the years devastating turn of events, her boys were growing up and would soon be attending Hogwarts, where their journey as Wizards would finally begin. After all, she was almost an ordinary mother, and the sight of their first uniforms being fitted, was more than a little emotional.

The shopping trip was finished with a stop off at The Three Broomsticks, where Hermione was greeted happily like an old friend by Rosmerta, and was seated in a very private corner of the pub. Beau was quick to fall asleep; his body slumped against his mother, his facial features distorted by his small pale hand which was pressed against his cheek. Alek was equally as tired, but was fighting the temptation to crash by rustling through his purchases noisily, receiving a few nasty glares. But Hermione didn't have the effort to silence him, nor did she have the effort to shoot a few of her own dirty looks. It had been a very, very long day.

'It has been a long time since I have seen you, Miss Granger.' A very familiar, distinct silky voice travelled lazily across the room, catching the attention of Hermione. She looked up to trace the source of the voice, and came face to face with her old Potions Professor, Severus Snape. He hadn't aged in the slightest; he even still wore that sarcastic, slightly mean look.

'Indeed Professor. But I must press that I am no longer a Miss, and no longer have the surname Granger. Also, I would be grateful if you were not to address me like that in front of my children and definitely not in front of students when I begin my new job next week. I'm afraid it would probably impact on the respect they give me, and I can't afford that.' Hermione replied, her tone annoyed, and very impatient, she was fighting the urge to blush, winning only just.

'I see you still talk as much as you used to. Mm. Very well Mrs Krum, I can understand. I understand from that little speech that you are married with children?'

'I am a widow. And yes, these are my boys. In fact, you'll be better acquainted with them very, very soon.'

'They will be attending Hogwarts this term, I assume?'

'Yes. Both of them will be attending Hogwarts.' Hermione said with a great deal of satisfaction in her voice, she deeply hoped that both her boys would excel in Potions, which would certainly dampen Snape's arrogant behaviour.

'They look very alike.'

Way to go to point out the obvious Professor Hermione thought, was he really that stupid? The man she had known during her school years had been as sharp as a hawk, and picked up on everything. Surely aging could not have affected this man?

'Yes well, they are identical twins.' Hermione spoke clearly, not meeting the eye of her inquisitive son, who was trying to make her introduce him to the mysterious man, who his mother seemed to know very well.

'May I add that I am sorry for your loss? I read about those sad turn of events in the Daily Prophet, I was ignorant to your connection to him.' Snape finally said, cutting through the awkward silence with his snake like voice. 'Also, congratulations on the job. I am absolutely ecstatic at the idea of working close beside you.' He added sarcastically, his cold black eyes twinkling for a very brief moment, reminding Hermione of the old Headmaster.

'Yes well, right back at you.' She replied, her face flushing a dark scarlet, betraying her hard voice. Then suddenly, acting yet again on impulse, she asked him to join them for a drink. 'It would be nice to catch up after all these years.' She added, what she had asked finally sinking in, filling her with regret and embarrassment.

'I don't 'catch up' with anyone Mrs Krum.' He answered, very coldly. But it had not been missed than he slipped into the booth beside Aleksandar who had passed out, his hand in a piece of uneaten pumpkin pie, causing an unsightly mess. Snape raised an eyebrow in obvious distaste but said nothing, looking away as he clicked his fingers to attract the attention of a waitress who took his order for a Firewhiskey and another Butterbeer for Hermione.

'I can't stay long, I must get back to the school to mark homework assignments,' and by that, he meant fail them.

'Yes I know, I'm so sorry. I don't really know what came over me.' She stuttered, having trouble getting her words out. Snape eyed her without expression as he took a neat sip of his whiskey before setting it down and looking at Beau who was now squashed as close to his mother as was physically possible, his matted brown curls covering his eyes, hiding most of his features from Snape's view. Reflexively Hermione stroked her son's cheek as she watched Snape, taking frequent glances out of the corner of her eye to check that Alek was still fast asleep. She was about to speak, but he got there first.

'I believe that now we are colleagues it would be more appropriate, for you to address me as Severus, and I to address you as Hermione.'

He had taken the words out of her mouth completely; she nodded wordlessly and took another swig of Butterbeer. 'However, I must ask you not to treat the students with your usual kindness. There are a real dumb lot this year. I find myself approaching insanity as each day comes to a close.' He said, very matter of factly, if anyone else had said she would probably have laughed, but as she looked into the depths of his black orbs, she knew he was being extremely serious, he didn't want his hard work compromised.

'Very well, as you wish, Severus.'

Ooh! I wanted to try something a bit different and this is the final product! I hope you enjoy. Also check out my other story Summer Lessons, a story sort of similar to this, following the life of Harry during the summer he has to spend at Hogwarts with Snape!