Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or world of Harry Potter, all credit to JK Rowling.
A/N: This is not following the exact storylines of the books, changes have been made eg. Snape did not die etc. Reviews are always welcome!
The sweat dripped down her forehead, the steam rose in flourishes from the brewing cauldron. A few strands of escaped hair clung to her forehead and back of her neck. Carefully she rotated the glass stirring rod counter-clockwise twelve times. Exhaling the breath she hadn't realised she had been holding, Hermione Granger stepped away from the simmering pewter cauldron and sank into the awaiting chair gratefully.
Professor Hermione Granger had been living and working at Hogwarts for the two years. After completing a double Masters in Potions and Charms, she had spent three years teaching Charms and doing research at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France. It had been a wonderful experience living over there and the students had been both respectful and eager to learn but something always pulled her thoughts back to Hogwarts. It was there that she had met Harry and Ron and where she still considered home. It had been with delight that she had accepted Headmistress McGonagall's job offer as Potions Mistress. Of course that had been two years ago now, before she had been reacquainted with her fellow co-worker and ex potions professor Severus Snape.
When she had begun he had been given the job of Defence Against The Dark Arts, the position he had craved and in her mind, deserved for many years. Two years on he was the current Headmaster after Minerva had opted for early retirement to spend some time gardening she had stated. Hermione thought the reason was less about roses and more about a certain twinkly eyed ex-Headmaster who Minerva had been living with for the last few months.
She recalled that happy memory of apparating to the gates of Hogwarts after many a years absence. She could see the Headmistress rushing towards her, a smile on her face and arms outstretched.
"My dear girl, it has been far too long" she proclaimed, wrapping her in a warm embrace.
"Headmistress I met with you last Friday for afternoon tea!"
Tutting "It's Minerva, we are co-workers now!"
"Sorry, yes, Minerva" Even after all this time, Hermione Granger felt rightly chastened by her old mentor.
The bright August sun shone down on them as they chatted amicably up the path and into the castle, discussing not much in particular and meandered toward the teacher's lounge. Assulted from all sides when she stepped through the door Hermione was overwhelmed. Embraced by many, complimented, promises of visits and drinks in The Three Broomsticks were made. All made her feel welcome bar one. Severus Snape, a scar running down his temple and finishing somewhere under his voluminous black robes he took one glance in her direction and sneered. In one second, Hermione felt like 2 feet tall.
Thankfully the noise quietened somewhat when the Headmistress stood at the front of the room. The Professors of Hogwarts shuffled into the assortment of chairs scattered across the room and Hermione stashed her suitcases in the corner and looked for an available seat. Of course the only one free was right beside Professor Snape.
'Typical' she mumbled as she sank down into it. She had obviously misjudged the depth of the chair as she was sinking deeper and deeper. Flailing about widely for a moment, a strong hand grabbed her elbow and lifted her up into a more dignified position. Startled she turned around. Professor Snape sneered again and removed his hand from her elbow; it burned where he had touched. They locked eyes for the briefest of moments and as the Headmistress cleared her throat for the first staff meeting to begin, they both turned intent on paying attention.