Chapter 1
Hermione Granger woke up in a state of disarray. She looked around just to grasp her bearings. This wasn't the first time she'd woken up like this. In fact, it wasn't even the second, or the third. This happened on a daily basis. The dreams of that night always floated through her head when she woke up and confused her as to where she was. It took her a minute to realize she was in her bedroom. She swung her legs to the side of the bed and stretched.
"Come on Crooks, let's get some breakfast." The fat orange part kneazle followed her from his spot at the foot of the bed. They walked through the master bedroom and into the kitchen.
"Good morning," Hermione said to her live in boyfriend Ronald Weasley.
"Hrmph," Ron replied. They had grown distant in the last several years. It all started when Hermione had saved Severus Snape in the Shrieking Shack. Ron didn't understand why she'd saved him. Severus ended up hating her for it to for a good year before he thanked her. They had then started meeting regularly for dinner and chats. They became very close friends, much to the anger of Ron. Hermione considered Severus one of her best friends. The day she told Ron this, he had basically stopped talking to her for months. Ron started sleeping in the side room of Hermione's parent's house. The house was of course now empty of Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Hermione just continued to go about getting breakfast for her and Crookshanks. She'd been contemplating asking Ron to move back to his parent's home for weeks. Her best friend Harry Potter was coming over tonight to help her tell him it was over.
"Ron, would you like some breakfast?" Hermione asked.
"No, I would like some silence." He snapped back. Hermione just shrugged it off and started making tea to go with the bread she'd just put in to be toasted.
"I don't understand why you don't just you a damn charm to toast your bread." Ron said.
"I don't use a charm because I'd rather use a toaster. It makes me feel normal to do some things the muggle way," she replied.
"I will never understand you Hermione," said Ron. At that, Hermione picked up her breakfast and went to eat in what used to be her father's study. She stroked the cat and smiled as she bit into her toast.
"Half a day more Crooks, and then we will know peace." Hermione said to the cat who was favoring his kippers over listening to her. It had been almost four years since their first kiss in the Chamber of Secrets and Hermione had never felt like she was totally happy. All she could think about was moving on into a future that didn't involve the arsehole known as Ron Weasley. Her angry thoughts were interrupted as an owl flew through the open study window, and landed with poise on the desk in front of her. She took the letter proffered by the owl's extended leg and gave it a kipper, much to the disdain of Crookshanks. The owl ate and swiftly flew back out the window. Hermione immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelope to be that of Minerva McGonagall. She tore the letter with the old opener that used to be her father's and began reading.
Dear Hermione Granger,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would like to extend an offer of employment. The school is currently looking for the position of Transfiguration to be covered as I have recently found myself overwhelmed with being Headmistresses, Head of Gryffindor house, and the Transfiguration professor. Acceptance of the job would include living at the castle, agreeing to the responsibilities that come with being a professor, being head of Gryffindor house, and upholding the integrity of the school at all times. I really do hope you can accept. I am most looking forward to catching up with you!
Please send an owl with your decision regarding the matter as soon as possible.
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistresses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hermione could barely contain her excitement as she re-read the letter twice. She sent an owl out to Severus to let him know she would be telling Minerva in person tonight that she accepted and would see him soon!
