Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I simply own the plot and my love for the couple! 3

Chapter 1

Sharp heels clicked loudly on the dungeon floor purposefully like a predator on a mission to grab it's prey. The staccato echoed across the walls and the beat amplified. Somewhere down there a class full of Gryffindors and Slytherins heard the noise and as is usual in the fickle-minded youth their attention didn't even take a nanosecond to wander. As their professor put the full stop on the sentence he was writing on the board he turned to notice a very distracted class and then he too noticed the quickly approaching sound and somehow stilled anticipation of the owner of the stilettos. Never in a thousand years would he have thought of what happened next.

(Previous week: In the Headmistress's Office)

"Good morning Ms. Granger and thank you for coming at such a short notice. Please have a seat." McGonagall smiled at her favourite student. She was never the one into favouritism but Hermione Granger was beyond a mere witch, she had the capacity to be one of the most powerful witches of the century.

Hermione greeted back politely and took a seat across the grand table and saw Dumbledore wink at her from his portrait. It made her miss him more and she smiled at him sadly.
"Ms. Granger, I hear you have decided to leave your position at Flourish and Blotts'? I am sorry to hear that they are losing a remarkable asset."

Hermione felt her cheeks heating up; McGonagall wasn't the type to just casually praise someone. "Yes Ma'am, I think I need to change my career path. Even though the book store offers the best work environment but I do not think I am really serving a bigger purpose there."

McGonagall assessed her for few seconds before speaking up "Ms. Granger, That's exactly why I have called you here. I am offering you the position of the Transfiguration Professor here at Hogwarts."

"For Real?" Hermione blurted without thinking.

McGonagall chortled, "Well, sadly the 'Fake' Transfiguration professor post has been kindly accepted by Peeves so we are just left with the 'For real' one" She air quoted the 'for real' and left a flabbergasted Hermione at it's wake. Even Hermione wasn't sure what she was more tongue-tied about, her getting the job or McGonagall having a sense of humour.

"No professor, yes professor… I mean I will gladly take it, I am honoured!"

"Well, you can join from the coming week Ms. Granger. Arrangements would be made as per your wishes. Anything else you would like to talk about?"

"Erm, I would also like to take up dance lessons in Hogwarts. I realised that during my duration here that there are many students who would like to dance."

McGonagall studied her over her spectacles. "Are you trained Ms. Granger? More importantly, will you be able to find that much time?"

"Oh I will manage my classes well Professor, I will schedule the dance classes in the evenings when everyone finds it convenient. And yes ma'am, I have taking dance lessons from the beginning of my first year. In the holidays at my parent's house and I practiced myself during the school years. "

"It sounds promising Ms. Granger. Students will be notified. I am impressed with your dedication to the school."

Hermione felt herself blush again and got up to go "Thank You so much for this opportunity professor."

McGonagall shook her hand warmly and watched her favourite student leave through the spiral staircase as she reminisced of her own teaching days and smiled to herself.

Hermione cringed as her heels clapped loudly on the floor. She knew it was a bad day to wear this pair of footwear but it was her first day and she wanted to be presentable, Ginny had said they make her legs look sexy and also there was this other reason.

(A phone call 2 days before the joining date)

"Ginny! McGonagall offered me the Transfiguration Professor post!" Hermione squealed into her phone.

Ginny let out a low whistle "Congratulations darling! You so deserve that post! And you are obviously very happy because you are all squeaky and everything!" She laughed.

Hermione was grinning from ear to ear. "Okay, I will go pack now."

Before she could cut the call she got interrupted my Ginny "Hey sister! You are not doing this alone! Do you remember your old time lover teaches there too?"

"He is isn't my lover-"

"But you want him to be, don't you?"

"Gin, I have just fancied him-"

"Like since forever Mione! You will now do what the great Ginny says."

"I know Ginny you have that smug face on but it doesn't really suit you" Hermione made a feeble attempt at a comeback.

"Oh stop your whining Mione! I am coming over and choosing your wardrobe and I have a plan." Hermione could feel the evil glint in her best friend's eyes emanating all the way up to her and she cringed.

But she knew better than to argue "Okay Gin, come on over."

During the next two days she had prepped Hermione for her teaching year and formulated a plan, she had named it 'S.E.D.U.C.E. (Screw Everyone, Draco Under Control for Eternity)'. Hermione took minute to process the ludicrous acronym before she burst into laughter. She was almost going to fall off the edge of her bed when she decided to try and control herself. It took Ginny's best effort to convince her of the validity of her plan.

"You know Gin, Your wicked mind can cook up great plans but it lacks in the acronym department" Hermione said sarcastically to which she received a pillow attack smack in her face and the best friends enjoyed for the rest of the evening.

She sighed in exasperation at her friend's plan as she reached the door of the room she was headed to. The sign read 'Defence against the Dark Arts'. She took a deep breath, offered a small prayer in the name of Merlin that Ginny's plan was failsafe and turned the knob.

I think Ginny is sharp as a knife. You think so too? Please R & R. ^_^