Summary: The wizarding world is at peace finally. Can Hermione and Severus find what's truly missing in their lives? Or will a new Dark Wizard pull them apart, leaving their body, souls and hearts in shambles. SS/HG
AN: I don't know where I've been all these months, but I'm back. I'M SO SORRY…FORGIVE ME. I have rewritten the first chapter, and am almost done the second. I also have hopefully now fixed the time line, I must thank the reviewer whom pointed out the errors.
Disclaimer: I Do NOT own Harry Potter
Hermione Granger stared at the castle looming above her. After nine years, she finally felt like she was home. It was hard to believe that nine years ago, she stood in the castle, fighting for her life and the life of her friends. Hard to believe that Voldemort was finally defeated…and hard to believe that the only man she ever truly loved was gone forever.
Hermione shook these thoughts from her head as she headed for the castle. It was her first day as Hogwarts new potions mistress; it wouldn't do to dwell on thoughts like those. She didn't work for nine years to become a potions mistress just to dwell on the past.
Besides she needed something familiar. She had become engaged to Ron shortly after she began her Potions Apprenticeship, a year into University. He knew she wanted to wait until she was done school to have the wedding, and he had said he was okay with it, apparently his mother was not. After five years, they broke it off, partly because of Ron's mother pushing the wedding, but mostly because Ron had wanted her to stay home and be the good little house witch like his mother.
But she couldn't do that; it just wasn't what she wanted. It pretty much ended her and Ron's friendship, and severely strained Harry's friendship with her. In fact she hadn't heard from either one since she had told Harry she had gotten the job at Hogwarts, six months before.
Oh Well, She thought, it's probably for the best. She was thankful the Headmistress McGonagall had wanted her to come early; it would keep her mind off things.
She pushed opened the heavy doors, and walked into the empty school, as a flood of memories came back to her. Being sorted her first year, the basilisk in her second, Remus and the Shrieking Shack in her third. Then there was the Triwizard in her fourth, and Umbridge in her fifth. Harry's potion text in her sixth and of course, the final battle in what was supposed to have been her seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
Hermione slowly made her towards the gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress' office. Glancing at her muggle watch she saw that she was right on time. "Chocolate Frog" She told the Gargoyle, grinning to herself that McGonagall had kept up Dumbledore's tradition on the password. She stepped on to the spiral staircase, and allowed herself to be carried to the office.
She knocked on the wooded door at the top and waited for an answer. She could hear voices murming inside, but assumed it was the portraits talking amongst themselves.
"Come in!" Called a cherry voice. She pushed opened the door and found herself in the welcoming arms of her old head of house and transfiguration teacher.
"Hermione! It's so good to see you…my, my, you look good" Professor McGonagall stated.
"Professor, it's so good to see you too, you haven't aged a bit!"
Minerva McGonagall blushed, "Please my dear, we're colleagues now, it's Minerva, and thank you."
"Alright then…Minerva."
Another knock came at the door before either one of them could say anything else. "Ah, that must be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I wanted you to meet him before any of the other teachers."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, why would Minerva want her to meet him? She turned as Minerva called for the newcomer to come in, and Hermione gasped in shock.
Severus stood at the doors to the headmistress' office, listening to the voice on the other side of the door, wondering why in the world he was to meet the new potions mistress before the other teachers. Softly he knocked on the door, and waited. Shortly, he heard Minerva call for him to come in. As he entered the room, he had to hold back a gasp of shock; there standing in front of him was the bushy haired, know-it-all Gryffindor. Only…she wasn't bushy haired anymore. No her locks of long brown hair now fell half way down her back, her soft curls, gently framing her face. She had grown into a woman's body and dressed as though she knew it. No, she was no longer a child, he could see that. He groaned inwardly as he began to feel a stirring in his groin.
Hermione whirled back to face Minerva, anger in her eyes. "What is this?" She demanded, "Is this some kind of cruel joke?"
"I assure you Ms. Granger, or is it Mrs. Weasley now? This is no joke, I am alive, and aside from a few side effects of Nagini's poison, decently well."
Hermione turned back around to look her former potions teacher in the eyes, "But, what, why, how?" She stumbled.
Severus sighed, how he hated telling this story. "When I was bitten by Nagini, I had taken a potion that would counter act most of the effects of her poison, but would also slow my heartbeat and pulse down so much, that one would think I was dead. I was able to fool Voldemort that I was truly dead."
Hermione nodded, hearing of such potions, but never brewing one herself. "But why, after so many years…"
Severus held up a hand to stop her, "Unfortunately, the potion did not prevent all the damage from the venom, and it has taken me this long to recover. But as the muggles say, I am good as new" He allowed a small smile to slip from his lips.
Hermione's mouth formed an O, having more questions, but the look in his eyes told her to stop. Instead she gave him a small smile. "That's very good to hear Professor Snape" She replied softly.
"Severus."
"What?" She asked confused.
"We are colleagues now, you may call me Severus."
Hermione nodded, and smiled. "Then no more of this Ms. Granger nonsense, you must call me Hermione."
"You have still yet to answer my question….Hermione."
Hermione raised her eyebrow, trying to remember what question he had asked her.
"Is it still Ms. Granger, or is it now Mrs. Weasley?"
"It's still Granger." She replied sadly, "Ron and I…well it just didn't work out."
Severus couldn't quite place the feeling he had in his chest at the moment, but for some unknown reason he was glad to hear that.
Minerva quickly stepped in, seeing the look on her former student's faces. "Well now, it's about lunch time, shall we head to the Great Hall and meet with the other teachers?"
Severus and Hermione looked at her, clearly having forgotten she was even there. But in response, Hermione's stomach grumbled. "That would be great." She replied, going red in the face.
Severus just nodded, and followed the two witches out, rolling his eyes as they talked and giggled the whole way.
All eyes in the Great Hall turned as the large oak doors opened to reveal the Headmistress, and the two new teachers. Gasps could be heard all round the lone table that had taken the place of the four house tables that were usually there.
Of course, Hermione thought, the students aren't to arrive for another two weeks.
At first Hermione thought that the gasps and whispers were about her, but when she followed the other teacher's eyes, she realized that all eyes were on Severus, and not on her. It was then she realized that the other teachers had no idea that Severus was still alive.
The three latecomers took their seats, Hermione ending up beside Severus, with, surprisingly, Ginny Weasley on her other gave Hermione a smile as she sat down, and looked like she was about to say something, but was interrupted by Minerva clearing her throat. All the teachers stopped whispering and turned to give her their full attention.
"As you can all see, we have some new teachers with us. So I would like to introduce you to them and what their duties will be. I am sure most of you remember Ginny Weasley. Ginny has graciously agreed to be the new transfigurations teacher, as I am getting too old to teach and do the duties of headmistress. I am sure she will do a wonderful job...maybe even better than me."
The teachers laughed as they applauded, and Ginny blushed.
"Our very own Hermione Granger has agreed to become our new potions mistress, as well as will be taking over as the head of Gryffindor House."
Applause again followed, welcoming, but anxious applause, as everyone was waiting for the final teacher to be "introduced".
"And our last teacher, please welcome back Severus Snape. He will be resuming his duties as head of Slytherin, as well as Deputy Headmaster and teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Murmurs began and Minerva had to clap her hands in order the regain the attention of the teachers. "I am sure you all have questions for Severus, and hopefully he will indulge us with his heroic story, but let us leave that for another time. Right now it's time for lunch."
Minerva clapped her hands, and food began to fill every spare space on the tabletop.
"I am so glad you're here Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed as she began to load her plate. "I was afraid I'd be the only new teacher!"
"I'm surprised you're even talking to me." Hermione replied sputtered on the pumpkin juice she had been drinking, causing Professor Flitwick, whom was sitting on her other side, to thump her on the back.
"Why would I stop talking to you? You're my best friend!"
"Well because of what happened between Ron and I."
Ginny stared at her as though she had grown a third eye, "Hermione, I never blamed you for what happened. If anything I blame Ron, he was just looking for a second mother, and I knew that you could never be that. You stuck around longer than I ever thought you would!"
Hermione smiled, and for the first time in a long time, she finally felt as if her life was on the right track, "Thanks Ginny, you'll never know how much that means to be."
Minerva watched the exchange, from her spot at the head of the table, between the two girls with a smile on lips, yes; this year would be a good year. She turned her eyes away from them, and settled them on Severus, who sat in his chair with a scowl on his face. She would never say it out loud to him, but his face seemed softer, and the scowl less threatening.
"Did you want something Minerva?"
"What?" She asked, being shaken out of her thoughts.
"You're staring at me," Severus replied, "I figured you wanted something."
Minerva almost blushed at being caught staring, she definitely didn't want to give him the wrong impression. "Actually, yes I did. How would you feel about switching your classroom to the old potions classroom? That way your office and quarters will be closer to the Slytherin dorms."
"And, pray tell, where would the potions class take place?"
"Why in the old Defense Against the Dark Arts room of course. That way Hermione is closer to the Gryffindor dorms."
"It's possible, but a lot of work. The safety wards, that are required to have around the potions classroom, are already in place in the dungeons. It would take a full day or two to reset the wards. I don't think we should move the potions classroom."
"Well I am sure Hermione will have no problems helping you set the wards, besides, it was her who requested the move."
"So I have no choice?" Snape grumbled.
"Not really." McGonagall replied, a smile playing across her lips.
Hermione was just leaving the Great Hall with Ginny, who was going to show her to her rooms, when she heard her name being called. Stopping, she turned around to meet Professor Snape's dark eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breathing became shallow as he moved towards hers. Ginny, who had stopped alongside her, glanced at Hermione, out of the corner of her eye, wondering if Hermione was going to pass out?
"Hermione, I have been told you wish to move the potions classroom."
Hermione nodded, "Yes sir…"
"Severus" He corrected.
"Yes Severus," Hermione continued, taking a deep breath. She felt like she was drowning, her lungs couldn't get enough air, what was wrong with her…why couldn't she breathe? She began to gasp.
"Hermione?" Ginny said, clearly concerned, "What's wrong."
Hermione grasped her chest as she doubled over, "I…can't…breathe." With that statement, she collapsed, right into the arms of one Severus Snape.
Hehehe, cliffy. Please REVIEW! Thanks