Chapter 1 - Surprise.

The whole hall had gone completely silent as Sirius Black stood their grinning like someone had just given him a million gallons. Hermione glanced nervously at Severus who had a strange look on his face torn between murderous and surprised then looked at Harry to see how he looked but he had his back to her like everyone else who was gapping at Sirius Black who was meant to be dead.

She and Severus had grown close over the summer and formed a relationship together over the summer whilst working closely on brewing potions for the school this year. Dumbledore wanted double the amount than normal years so they had double the stock. He'd asked her once he and Severus had returned from his hiding place during the war and she'd accepted, she had nothing else to do so she thought why not. She had ended it with Ron in the last week of the summer holidays and as you can imagine that did not go down well.

Nobody knew of her and Severus's relationship, they like the privacy and wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible and did not want everyone else gossiping and pointing fingers at them. So even though they had the Headmaster's blessing and McGonagall gave Hermione hers, they still chose to keep their relationship on the low key and out of the public eye. Dumbledore cleared his throat and every one turned to face him, Harry met her eyes and she saw the look of confusion and shock written on his face and clear in his green eyes.

"As you can see, we have a surprise guest joining us this year to teach Defense Against The Dark Arts at Hogwarts School Of Witch Craft And Wizardry, please do not pester Professor Black for his story, if you ask him nicely I'm sure he'll tell you in time if he wishes, so please Sirius, if you will come and take your place at the staff table in between Miss Granger our Head Girl this year and Professor Lupin are Charms Professor," Dumbledore said calmly. This entrance was almost as good as the entrance the impostor Moody gave them in their fourth year.

Hermione watched as Sirius strutted up the hall, smiling brightly showing off his purl white teeth. He wore tight trousers, tight t-shirt and some form of boots. Sirius walked past the staff table on their end and gave a smug smirk to Severus who Hermione noticed out of the corner of her eye gave Sirius a death glare that would have made any normal person back off and possibly even week at the knees. When Sirius was seated Dumbledore spoke once more:

"Let the feast begin," he clapped his hands and the food appeared and within seconds chatter broke through the great hall.

"So Hermione, are you still with young Mr. Weasley?" Sirius commented, turning his attention to the beautiful brunette.

"Sirius, I wasn't with Ron when you were alive in the first place," Hermione pointed out flatly.

"Yes, but you could see you were bound to end up with him," Sirius said.

"And why would that be?" She said irritation clear in her voice.

"It's obvious, Molly's ambition, Harry ends up with Ginny, and you end up with Ron! Boom," he said as if she should already know this.

"Well Sirius, one could say how and why you are sitting here right now when you are supposedly dead," she snapped at him already annoyed. 'How dare he!' she thought.

"Very good question Miss Granger," came a cold drawl from beside her, she felt him lean against her in a possessive way and glowered dangerously at Sirius. Hermione guessed he didn't like the way Sirius described her, Ron, Harry and Ginny.

"Well Snivellus that would be none of your business," Sirius replied, Hermione looked from Sirius to Severus.

"Well Black actually it is my business as to why you are unfortunately back walking and talking gracing us with your dog like presents once more," Severus spat with rage. Hermione looked at Sirius waiting for a response, Sirius had leaned in as well, and glowering at Severus just like Severus was him. Men she silently thought.

"Snivellus, it is NOT any of your business what I have been doing in my time behind the veil that is my business and my business alone. Well, I could say the same thing about you? I'm surprised Voldemort didn't finish you off whilst he had the chance," Sirius growled. Hermione glanced pleadingly at Remus who was watching the scene unfold before him and had heard everything the two men, two rivals had said between each other. He met Hermione's eyes and saw the pleading look in them.

"Sirius, old friend, leave it. No need to start any trouble already, you've only been back five minutes," he said quietly knowing Sirius had heard as him.

"I'M NOT THE ONE STARTING TROUBLE ALREADY REMUS," Sirius rounded on his friend ignoring the curious gazes of the students.

Severus straightened up and went back to helping himself to food with a foul look on his face. Anybody looking towards the staff table throughout this exchange between the two Professors would know that this year at Hogwarts School of Witch Craft And Wizardry would be interesting. The Slytherins also knew that they are going to have a very angry head of house this evening.

The rest of the meal was quiet until the food disappeared and Dumbledore stood up to say the last announcement and announce it was time for bed. Dumbledore and the other Professors rose to left. Severus squeezed his witch's thigh before he left. Hermione gave him a small secret smile and went to walk over to the Gryffindor table but was stopped by Sirius.

"Wait Hermione, I want to speak with you," she thanked Merlin that Severus was already sneering at his students as he walked down the Slytherin line.

"What is it Sirius?" She asked.

"How do I approach Harry?" He said, Remus spoke for Hermione placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Be yourself and be honest," Remus said.

"You right, are you guys free tomorrow morning?" He asked, he knew he had a free period first after revising his teaching time table.

"No, we have potions with Professor Snape, double in fact," she answered. Sirius groaned.

"What about lunch? Will you, the twins, Harry, Ron and Ginny join me and Remus for lunch tomorrow in my rooms instead of eating in here?" He asked giving her a puppy dog look.

"I don't know Sirius, I'm sure they will but I have head duties," she said, she did not want to be in Severus bad books, he was already in a foul mood and she felt sorry for his new first years that are going to face his wrath for the first time.

"Let her go Sirius, she needs to show the first year Gryffindors the way to the Gryffindor tower and where they are going to be sleeping," Remus ordered softly, not giving Sirius a choice.

"Fine," mumble Sirius. Hermione shot Remus a grateful smile and freed her arm from Sirius grip that had loosened at Remus words.

Hermione hurried to the Gryffindor table ignoring Ron who was gazing at her and spoke quickly and clearly to the crowed of awaiting nervous looking Gryffindor first years.

"Hello and welcome to Hogwarts, I am your head of house, Hermione Granger, any problems or issues you have you come to me or our house prefects," she pause and pointed to the three behind her, "Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley and Ron Weasley, now get yourselves into lines of two and keep an eye on your surroundings, the path I'm about to take you on is the main and quickest route to Gryffindor tower," she said in a firm voice marching to the front, leaving Ron, Harry and Ginny at the back of the small group of first years.

Bless their little hearts they followed her order at once she noticed as she glanced over her shoulder. She made her way up to Gryffindor tower and then showed them were to go and left the rest up to Harry, Ron and Ginny to deal with.

All she wanted to do now was go to her rooms and curl up under the duvet with a book in her hand, but she knew she wouldn't do that as she had arrangements with Dumbledore and Severus that she uses her private chambers in the head department as a detour to Severus's chambers and basically all of her stuff has gradually moved in their over the holidays as their relationship grew stronger and closer.

She said the password as she reached the painting that is entrance to the Head's private chambers and stepped inside as it opened up for her. This year was going to be interesting indeed with Sirius Black, back and her friendship with Ron and Harry is already rocky due to her break up with Ron, normally she could guess what was going to happen but this year was a mystery, even to her.

A/N: I would just like to say big thankyou to my beta reader: RxDJxB Lestrange :)