Somehow she found herself back at Hogwarts, not entirely sure what had compelled her to accept the offer from Professor McGonagall. The castle brought back so many memories, both good and bad, although the bad memories were more recent and it still made her gut wrench to think upon them. So what on earth had possessed her to say yes? Hermione sighed, reluctant to admit even to herself that she felt restless. The war had been successfully fought, she had graduated top of her year and been inundated with job offers even before graduating. She had taken a job with the Ministry of Magic's defence council and despite having moved up the career rapidly in just a couple years, had eventually tired of the bureaucracy and red tape before each tiny progressive step could be made and had taken a job with a private defence firm for two years, a career which proved extremely satisfying and lucrative. But still, it was not enough.
She had been approached at the beginning of summer by Professor McGonagall who offered her the job of defence of the dark arts teacher and with barely five minutes consideration she had accepted it. The company had offered her more money, more resources, more staff on her team, but nothing they said convinced her to change her mind. As she saw the dull grey sky in the great hall she wondered if she would regret her decision to become a teacher. But even if she did, she was only contracted for a year, she could choose to move on after that if she so wished.
Walking around the empty castle, she was amazed at how much smaller it seemed now. It was still a huge castle, but wasn't the towering, cavernous building she remembered. It was amazing how much difference a few years could make. As she surveyed the Gryffindor common room, her fingers trailed along the threadbare edges of the comfy sofa almost seeing the lit fireplace and herself surrounded by her friends in the cold evenings. It took her a minute to ready herself before she entered the library, she wasn't sure why she needed to prepare herself, but the smell of books and old parchment immediately brought the calm feeling that she had always got from the room. She spied her old table at the back of the library and sat down in her old seat. The library had always been and still was a magnificent place to her. As she ran her fingers along the worn mahogany, fingers picking a trail across the dust, she uncovered her initials etched into the wood. The only time in her life she had ever vandalised anything, she smiled at the memory of guilt and excitement. But then she remembered the initials etched below hers, still covered in dust. She got up and left the library.
It lifted her heart to see all the students excited to be back at Hogwarts, chattering and gossiping. She enjoyed watching the terrified first years being sorted into their houses, smiling at the memory of Ron being worried that the sorting involved fighting a troll. It was certainly strange being sat that the high table, but it afforded her a clear view of the entire hall. Professor McGonagall stood up as people were finishing off their desserts of apple crumble and custard and a delicious fruit trifle, and the chatter soon stopped as people looked towards the headmistress.
"I'm very glad to see that everyone is back safely from their summer holidays. We have a few new additions to the teaching staff this year. I'm sure some of you will recognise the new members, they are great assets to the magic community. Hermione Granger, stand up girl, is the new professor for the defence of the dark arts." Chattering had erupted in the hall, no doubt they recognised her name as one being connected to Harry, it was always the case. The headmistress raised her voice and carried on as if she didn't notice the whispering,
"and the new professor for potions is," she looked down the table, a slightly irritated look appearing on her face, "late."
Hermione laughed to herself, wondering who would dare risk being late on their first day knowing they had Professor McGonagall to report to. Suddenly there was a commotion in the back of the hall as a tall, slight figure walked in gracefully, black travelling cloak glistening with raindrops, hood casting their face in shadow whilst a few locks of long blonde hair fell forward. Hermione automatically reached for her wand as did some of the other teachers, habits learned in the war being hard to lose. However, the headmistress stood up in greeting,
"Ah, there you are."
"I'm very sorry professor, my sister Gabrielle had 'er first child last night." Hermione froze at the sound of the familiar voice.
"This is the new potions teacher, Professor Fleur Delacour," the head mistress announced as the newcomer pulled down her hood. Her long blonde hair glimmered in the candle light, shadows accenting the delicate structure of her face, eyes as blue as the ocean.
"Bonjour, I am glad to meet you all. I am most looking forward to be teaching and working with you all." As she turned to acknowledge the teachers, her eyes flared open and her breath caught in her chest at the sight of Hermione, who sat that look there with the colour drained out of her. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes, what the hell was she doing here? She watched Fleur take a deep breath before she acknowledged the pupils, the male population responding with eager talk and puppy dog eyes. Hermione scowled, some things never changed.
The students began to disperse back to their common rooms and Fleur found herself surrounded by the teaching staff who all greeted her warmly. However, the only person she wanted to see wasn't there. She spied the back of the brunette's head leaving towards the Gryffindor sector of the castle. No one had mentioned that Hermione was going to be teaching here. She couldn't tell if it was a good or bad thing.
It was a week before Hermione finally had to talk to Fleur. Or rather Fleur gave her little choice, walking into her classroom at lunchtime as soon as the last student had rushed out. Hermione couldn't think of any excuse to leave, the uncomfortable feeling of panic welling inside.
" 'ello 'Ermione. 'ow 'ave you been?" Fleur asked softly, her heart hammering in her chest and hoped it didn't show in her voice. She had been gathering courage all week to talk to Hermione, but she never saw the defence of dark arts teacher, not even for meals as it appeared Hermione took her meals elsewhere.
"I've been well, thank you. Youself?" The stiff, overly polite reply caused Fleur's heart to plummet. Fleur couldn't read her face anymore, Hermione had gotten better at hiding her emotions. She sighed internally, the war had surprising costs.
"I 'ave been good, thank you. I did not know you were going to be teaching, I thought you were still working with ze defence group." Hermione found her heart leap painfully at the thought that Fleur may have been following her life.
"I wasn't told that you were going to be here either. Professor McGonagall didn't mention that there was going to another new member of staff. "
"Would you 'ave accepted if you knew I was going to be working 'ere?" Fleur felt as if her heart would beat its way out of her chest as she awaited for the answer that never came. Hermione looked away, her face carefully expressionless. Fleur reached out to touch her on the arm, but the moment she made contact, Hermione pulled away, quickly gathering her parchments and books and tossing them into her bag.
"I have to read over my lesson plan for this afternoon. I need to go." Again, Fleur watched the back of Hermione as the brunette left the room.