Disclaimer-
I own nothing of Harry Potter or the Wizarding World.
That honor is JK Rowlings.
All hers, not mine.
X
August, 1999
The war was over, normalcy had been restored in the wizarding world, but a sense of unease seemed to follow Hermione Granger into the celebratory Era of Victory.
Witches and Wizards from 17 to 65 were celebrating, and they weren't being modest about it. Firewhiskey was plentiful, restrictive laws of public conduct were slack, and the festivities seemed to be never ending.
An abrupt, yet peaceful break up with Ron Weasley had left her wondering what was next, but her friends seemed to have moved on at a much faster pace.
Harry was already the Superintendent of Dark Magical Affairs, and Ron was making himself known as the up-and-coming keeper for the Tutshill Tornado's.
Two weeks prior, Ginny had been offered a position as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, but was still unsure about committing to the job. Truthfully, Hermione had been a bit jealous of Ginny at the time; everyone had thought Hermione would be offered a post at the school as soon as the war was over, but she was still happy for her friend.
It was a Friday night, and Hermione and Ginny were lounging at their favorite table in the back left corner of the Raven's Burrow, a cozy new pub that Hannah Abbott had opened just after the denouement of the war.
"Ay'! I don't find good pleasure in talking to my mug, you know." Ginny said when she realized Hermione hadn't a clue what she was saying.
Hermione snapped to attention.
"Sorry, Gin. I guess the butterbeer is getting to me. What is it you were saying?" Hermione apologized.
"I was saying that Mcgonagal's owl has been looking at you through the window for a good five minutes now. Are you expecting post from the school?"
"No," Hermione muttered, "Unless it's a matter of the article I wrote for the prophet a month ago, although it was mostly just factual information, so I don't know why she'd be interested."
Ginny retrieved the scroll from the gray striped owl, and tossed it onto the table in front of Hermione, just missing her freshly filled mug of butterbeer.
"I'm going to Flourish and Blotts to pick up a copy of 'Modern Magical Theory for the Educator, I've decided to accept the position at Hogwarts.", Ginny stated matter-of-factly, "But don't say anything to Ron or Harry yet, we'll want to tell them together." She whispered conspiringly.
Hermione clapped her hands in genuine happiness for her best friend, and smiled one of her rare smiles at her that seemed to light up her entire face, if only for a moment.
"That's wonderful! Oh, you'll be so great, I just know it. You've always been so clever in the subject anyway. No need for me to be there when you tell them, though, it's your good news!"
"Right, thanks." Ginny beamed at her.
"Go on, I've got to stop by Amanuensis's; Crookshanks seems to be displeased with me and has taken to burying my quills in the flower beds back home." Hermione mused.
Hermione rented a small apartment above a cafe' on the outskirts of Darbyfield, a small town located just south of Godric's Hollow. The owner's of the cafe' weren't very enthusiastic about Crookshanks taking residence in their shrubbery, but Hermione was the best tenant they'd had in years, so they let it slide.
"Don't be too long!" Ginny laughed as she flounced out of the pub.
The scroll in front of her almost forgotten, Hermione picked it up and carelessly tugged at the emerald green ribbon adorning it. Before she could properly open it, an uncharacteristically cheerful voice startled her across the table.
"You got one, too, Granger? Well, well, looks like the escapade's don't end here."
Hermione slowly raised her head and groaned when she realized her suspicions were correct.
"Malfoy." She greeted him with a curt nod. "To what do i owe the pleasure?" Her voice laced with sarcasm and bitterness.
That much too familiar smirk appeared on his face.
"Open it." He demanded, nodding to the parchment in her hand.
She did as she was told, and what she read inside made her so happy, she actually was rewarded with forgetting that Draco Malfoy was speaking to her for the first time since school had ended, and was acting like they were accomplices in something unknown to her.
Ms. Granger,
It appears that my initial letter of request to you has gotten lost in the post with my less than astute owl. For this, I apologize, but request your immediate answer to my proposal. As you are probably aware, the Castle has undergone some dramatic renovations in the past month, and along with the physical amendments we have made to Hogwarts, it appears that we are in need of an unmitigated change in our staff. So, it is my pleasure to request your acceptance in the post of Head Professor in Transfiguration. You would be an honorable addition to the Hogwarts staff, and would be joining many of your former classmates, should you choose to accept. Please consider and respond at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
Professor M. Mcgonagall
Her joy quickly turned to panic when she realized the implications of Malfoy's previous greeting.
"They didn't ask you.."
"To teach potions? Of course, why wouldn't they? I've got an aptitude for the subject that even you can't deny. Will that be a problem?"
Hermione just glared at him, keeping her composure.
"Hah! Of course not. I've never let your conceit and arrogance get in the way of my success. Why start now?" she reciprocated.
Ignoring what snide comment he was about to shoot off next, she slid into her jacket and started for the door.
"See you in September, Granger. I'm sure Zabini and I will be running that place before you and Weasley can even get your wands out of your pockets." He chimed after her.
Fresh excitement took over Hermione at the thought of telling Ginny they'd be colleagues in the fall. Of course, that must have been why Ginny had wanted to wait to tell the boys, so they could tell them together.
Ginny was just coming out of Flourish and Blotts when Hermione waved her down. The girls glowed with excitement at the prospect of their new careers. Ginny's smile fell a little when Hermione told her of her previous encounter with Malfoy.
"Apparently, him and Zabini have both been offered positions as well, although I can't imagine what Zabini has been asked to teach."
"Charms." Ginny revealed confidently. "That Zabini has a talent for advanced charms, as much as I hate to admit that any previous Slytherin has a knack for anything but deceit and disparage."
Both girls had a sour look on their face at the though of being forced to be mature and cooperate with the two Slytherins, but that was soon forgotten and they began to guess at who else had been asked to teach for the upcoming school year.
After Hermione had paid for her quills and a couple new bottle's of ink, the girls apparated to the Burrow, prepared to share their good news with Harry and Ron. When they walked into the kitchen, however, they were not prepared for what they saw.
Molly and Arthur Weasley were sitting at the kitchen table, giggling uncontrollably about an apparent member of a brothel that had tried to get Arthur's attention earlier that day, and that Molly had apparently taken care of in her own fashion.
"Her KNICKERS were on her HEAD!" Molly squealed with delight like a plotting teenager.
The couple had obviously been drinking since early in the evening. Thus far, the Weasley's had stayed pretty straight and narrow, but it looked like they were finally succumbing to both celebrating the victory and mourning the losses at the same time.
"Don' use the upstair loo, girls!" Molly loudly warned the girls, her speech slightly slurred.
"There's a sheet in there!" Arthur exclaimed, looking proud of himself.
"Erm..what?" Hermione looked at Harry, who had just descended the stairs looking flustered and a bit sweaty.
"A sheep." He replied, his tone patronizing and meant for Arthur.
"Mr. Weasley has traded some stunned garden gnomes with a muggle farmer outside of London, for a sheep."
Hermione looked confused and slightly disgusted, but Ginny, not knowing what the farm animal was, had already made her way halfway upstairs before anyone could stop her. Hermione followed her upstairs.
"Ahhhh!" the redhead screamed.
Hermione fought back laughter and she entered the loo where Ginny had made acquaintance with the fluffy white sheep. Kneeling down, she observed it. Harry was now standing in the doorway, a disapproving look on his face, Ginny cowering behind him.
"it's sort of cute, in a smelly, too large to be a domestic pet sort of way." Hermione said to Harry.
"That THING could be dangerous! Hermione, kill it, before it destroys us all!" Ginny was obviously not accustomed to the farm animals of the muggle world.
"Oh Ginny, the worst that will come of this sheep is a few more Weasley Christmas sweaters." Hermione chided playfully.
"Oh for goodness sake." Ginny said to herself, obviously put out that Harry and Hermione weren't frightened of the four legged marshmallow in the lavatory. She headed downstairs, no doubt to scold her father and put away the remainder of the alcohol.
As they all descended the stairs, Ron was entering the front door, looking as if he had just gotten back from a gruesome quidditch practice.
"Ay' mate, your parents seemed to have a little too much fun today." Harry said apologetically as he lead the group into the more peaceful sitting room, omitting the still giggling and intoxicated Weasley parents.
Ginny seemed to have recovered from her run in with what Mr. Weasley was now referring to as "Sally the Sheet", and remembered that she and Hermione had an announcement to make. She gave her best friend a knowing look, and she cleared her throat. The boys looked at them expectantly.
"So, uhm.." Hermione started nervously. "It seems that Ginny and I will be starting with out newfound careers in about a month, as Professors at Hogwarts. We both received letters from Mcgonagall, and we're all set for the start of term next month."
Ginny nodded excitedly.
The boys reacted accordingly, embracing them both and congratulating them.
"You always were the smart one in the family, Gin!" Ron was obviously proud of his little sister.
The rest of the evening was spent chattering enthusiastically about the upcoming school year, mysterious uncovering's of a big case the department of Auror's had been working on, and the newest racing broom about to be released.
As Hermione fell asleep that night, she remembered the mischevious glint in the eyes of a blonde boy she had spoken with earlier that day, and it made her uneasy. Surely, Malfoy was dreading working with the two Gryffindors as much as they loathed seeing the Slytherins..right?