Chapter One
Hogwarts hadn't changed. I looked up at the gargantuan castle and shook my head, smiling. I laughed as I thought about what had changed in the five years since I had been there. The grounds were bright and lively, filled with magical creatures of every shape and size, some in stables, and some set to roam freely. Hagrid had done amazing work with the students to make every trace of the war nearly disappear. The Forbidden Forest was blocked by a large stone wall, and only one gate led into the mysterious dark wood.
It had been Mcgonagall's idea to install the wall, which no doubt was protected by heavy enchantments and wards. Student after student had tried to get passed it, failing miserably each time. I continued up to the castle doors, which were open to let students roam about the grounds for the day. The stone halls were cool as a summer breeze lifted through the doors and open windows, smelling of sweet flowers and dirt.
When I had received the letter from Mcgonagall, it had been simply stated that the older witch wished to see me, only giving a date and time, and requested that I meet her in her office. I had owled her shortly after, asking what the meeting was about, but after receiving no reply, I was left to wonder what exactly the Headmistress of Hogwarts wanted from me after five, long years.
I reached the doors of Mcgonagall's office, not surprised when they opened before I even had a chance to knock. I smiled, took a deep breath, and stepped into the room, astounded to find that it was neat and orderly, unlike the office I had remembered from when Dumbledore occupied the space. Various clocks ticked and portraits conversed with one another, bringing the room to life. I smiled to myself at the small dish of lemon drops on the desk, a reminder of Dumbledore's spectacular sweet tooth.
"Miss Granger!" Minerva Mcgonagall stepped in from the adjoining room, hands clasped together and a bright smile on her weathered face. Her beady eyes sunk far into their sockets, and she had twice as many wrinkles as she did when I last saw her. Her pointed hat was as frightening as ever, tilted to the left and crooked at the top. The usual black robes were loose, and I realized just how old the witch probably was. "How lovely to see you after all this time, my dear."
"Yes, it's been quite a while, Professor." She made a slight noise and chuckled warmly.
"It's been half a decade since you finished your schooling, dear girl," She patted me on the shoulder and ushered me to one of the chairs in front of the desk. "I think a simple Minerva would suffice."
"I'm very sorry for not sending you another owl, we've been very busy here, since our charms professor up and quit." Minerva sighed and handed me a sheet of parchment, a detailed report of what had happened the day the man quit. After reading for several moments, I almost had to bite my lip from laughing at the situation. Minerva looked concerned for a moment, before it dawned on her why exactly I was laughing.
"Hermione, this is hardly a laughing matter." I sobered at her scolding tone, but it only lasted a moment, before I erupted in giggles, this time, Minerva joined me. I felt terrible for laughing at the poor man, who only quit because the raging, greasy bat of the dungeons hexed him for spilling pumpkin juice on his cloak. Minerva screeched with laughter when I made an underhanded comment about the potions professor's black attire, finding the thought hilarious. The door to the office opened just then, and a tall, dark, and extremely unhappy Severus Snape strode through, not even bothering to see me, who sat in front of the headmistress, before going off on a tantrum.
"Minerva, some blasted Gryffindor hexed one of my students for placing a bloody paper spider on his books. The boy had no intention of apologizing, and seeing as I have no power whatsoever to give detentions to students who aren't from my house," He paced back and forth, not even caring that the Headmistress was having a previous conversation with me. "I wish to see that the boy is properly punished."
It was then that he looked up, taking in the sight before him. His gaze ran over Minerva swiftly before looking to me, a surprised expression sweeping over his features briefly before disappearing, a smirk taking it's place. His eyes traveled up and down me, no doubt disapproving of the muggle clothing I wore. When his eyes finally met mine, his lips curled into a somewhat pleasant smile.
"Miss Granger, how surprising." He turned to Minerva, who was slightly shocked that the moody man had actually bothered to greet me at all. His features changed quickly again, back into the angry, fearsome state they had been in when he strode in moments before. Minerva gestured for him to take the other seat next to me, and he obliged, gracefully sitting in the chair like it was a throne. "So, what will be done about the insufferable child?"
"Severus, I'll see to it, but for now, I have more important matters at hand." She paused and looked pointedly at me, flashing me a smile before continuing. "I must focus on filling our empty Charms spot before this school falls apart in disarray."
"Surely you don't think that I'm qualified for the job?" I was momentarily shocked, surprised that she wanted me to take the job. I was about to give her an exact list of reasons why I shouldn't take the job when Professor Snape cut in.
"Silly girl, you are no doubt the most qualified for the tedious job of being a charms professor." I was taken aback at his statement, not sure whether or not he was complimenting me. Almost as if he was sensing my reaction to his words, he quickly continued. "You are, after all, one of the smartest students this insufferable school has ever seen."
I smiled at that, almost overjoyed to know that the man who made my seven years at Hogwarts almost unbearable, actually approved of me a little. Minerva was apparently just as happy, because she clapped her hands together and stood, waving her hands about the room, searching for something. She must've found it after a few seconds, and with a breathy 'accio schedule' she sat back down.
"Now, if you accept, you'll need to move your things here almost immediately, as classes have already begun." She looked at me over her glasses, suddenly serious as she waited for my answer. I felt both her and Snape weighing my reaction to the sudden offer. It would mean leaving my job at the Ministry, which was nothing special to begin with. It would mean leaving my flat in London, leaving the group of friends that I had become acquainted with over the years. None of them were as close to me as Ron or Harry had been through the years. I thought about it for a moment longer, before giving her a firm nod.
"Oh, perfect. You know how a wizard's oath works, then?" I nodded and watched as she held out her hand. I grasped her wrist and she took hold of mine, her bony and gnarled fingers encircling me firmly. She held her wand out and held it over our hands, and was about to mutter the oath before she looked to me. "This will bind you until I relieve you of your position, Miss Granger. Are you willing to accept that?"
"Yes." My voice rang loud and clear and she tilted her head forward, acknowledging my answer. She spoke the oath, and then asked me to repeat it back to her, and after a few minutes of standing there with our hands clasped, the magic swirling over our forearms disappeared. She let go and smiled warmly at me, and held up her wandless hand, snapping her fingers lightly. Several house elves appeared with a dainty pop, eagerly awaiting the Headmistress's orders.
"Go to Miss Granger's flat, and bring all of her belongings to the charms rooms. Report back to me after everything has been moved." The elves nodded firmly and disappeared with another pop, and Minerva sat down, shuffling through sheets of parchment before she came across the one she was looking for. "Severus, can you show Hermione where her rooms are to be? After all, the location of many of the rooms have changed since you've been here."
He scowled a little, uncomfortable with her giving him orders in front of me, no doubt. I smiled warmly at her before exiting the room with the tall man, who's cloak drifted behind him like a cape while he walked. I trailed behind him, pausing occasionally to greet portraits and staff members from my time at Hogwarts. I was amazed to find a very large painting of Albus Dumbledore hanging where the Gryffindor common room portrait used to be.
He smiled and waved, acknowledging her before turning to another painting next to him, going on about how I was one of Harry's best friends. The conversation faded as I walked, and I became immersed in the sights around me. Several students greeted me, most seventh-years whom I remembered as second-years, from my time at the school. It was funny to think about it now. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I suddenly ran into Snape, his large frame stopping me in my tracks.
"Miss Granger, please do try to focus so as to not get lost the next time you try to find your rooms." He steadied me with an arm and then opened the door in front of us, waving me in and gesturing to the classroom that was now mine. "Your rooms are through that door back there. I expect that you don't need anything else from me?"
I shook my head and said my thanks, watching him as he left through the door we came in. The war changed him more than I would've thought, and the kindness that he was showing me made me a little uneasy. That was definitely not the cold, irritating and loud professor I knew. Thinking nothing more of it, I glanced around the dusty room with disgust, casting a cleansing charm over the space, grateful to see most of the dust and grit gone.
What was to be my desk was placed on a slightly higher platform, and the black board behind it was high enough for those even in the back of the room to see. The room was made for lecturing, and lecturing was something I was extremely good at. I flicked my wand at the shades covering the windows, sending them up and letting light into the room. The view onto the castle grounds was exactly how I remembered it.