This is my first fanfic and english isn't my first language so sorry in advance. :-D
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
It was a week before school started and a certain know-it-all was already back at Hogwarts. She couldn't stay away for too long. Something always lured her back to school. This time it was a letter from the Headmaster which informed her that she got the Head Girl position that she always wanted and she was required at school for some last minute preparations.
Hogwarts was a very quiet place this time of year without the screaming and running around children, but she knew that it wouldn't last for too long. In a week, the students would come back and all the peace and quiet would dissipate. But until then, she would enjoy her little time alone at the castle. Well, not entirely alone for there were professors as well in the castle. And the prefects. And the Head Boy, Draco Malfoy. She still couldn't understand how he got that position. After the Dark Lord's fall, he certainly changed, but that would not make him suitable for that position. But that was her opinion. Apparently, other people disagree with her.
The first person that she saw when she got to the castle was her Head of the House, Minerva McGonagall. The woman welcomed her and then helped her find her new rooms. Being the Head Girl was a privilege. She got new quarters, she could stay after curfew a bit more, spend more time in the library. The only thing that bothered Hermione was the fact that she had to share her quarters with him. With the most arrogant Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. He may have changed, but she still couldn't forget his behavior, not only with her, but with her friends also.
They got to the quarters and she was pleased to find that the common room was painted and decorated in their color. Even though she did not like him, she had to admit that the Slytherin green and the Gryffindor gold looked very good together.
Hermione went into her room and was surprised to see that it was five times larger than her old room in the Gryffindor Tower. Instead of her old small four poster bed she now got a large double bed with the Gryffindor colors. On the wall in the left side of the bed, she saw a door that must have led to her own bathroom and on the right, there was her own library. There were at least five bookcases and her only thought was to sit in front of the fireplace that she now owned and read a book from her own library. She loved that room. She was about to grab a book from the shelf when a knock on the door interrupted her. Hermione was so amazed by her new room and by the fact that she now had a library, beside the one her parents owned, that she almost forgot about the professor who waited for her outside.
"Hermione, dear, I'm sure you will have time to read that book soon, but I'm afraid that we are expected in the Headmaster's office."
Hermione blushed slightly and then added "Of course, professor. I'm sorry, but I was so amazed by all of this that I almost forgot".
"Don't worry, dear. I'm glad that you like it. I took the liberty of arranging and rearranging everything. If you should need anything, please do come and tell me. Or even if you do not, my door is always open and I would like someone to talk to beside Albus and Severus."
She chuckled at that and she responded: "Thank you, professor. I certainly will." Then they left for the Headmaster's office.
"Hermione, dear," started again the professor on their way, "have you given any thought to your future? What are your plans after this year?"
The girl thought for a second before answering "Well, yes professor. I thought about it a lot and I think that I would like to start an apprenticeship here, at Hogwarts. I love this castle and I am not ready to leave just yet."
"Oh! That's wonderful my dear." The woman responded excited. "And have you decided on the field? I know you would do well in Transfiguration…" she continued. She hoped that Hermione would choose to be her apprentice. The two of them were very much alike and she hoped that one day the girl may be like the daughter that she never had. She wanted the best for her.
"I don't know, professor. I like Transfiguration, but I also like Charms." Hermione thought for a second before adding: "and Potions." She thought about professor Snape's reaction on that matter. He would not like it. She knew that her Head of the House and professor Flitwick were very fond of her, and she was fond of them, but with Snape was another story. She always wanted his approval and that made her study harder, but he never acknowledged her, no matter how hard she tried. In class, he always looked annoyed and irritated when she raised her hand to answer his questions and he practically ignored her. She once wanted to confront him on the matter but she decided against it. She had better things to do than scrubbing the cauldrons Merlin knows how long. After the war, she got to know him better and understand him when Harry told her about his past and all he had gone through, serving two masters. Knowing that, she decided to change something this year. She would try not to irritate him any longer and do her best to stay put when he asked a question. Maybe it was a good thing Ron and Harry hadn't returned for their last year. He would only be irritated even more. On the other hand, she was disappointed that they chose quidditch and auror training before school, before their education, but she loved them and she wanted them to be happy. As long as they were happy, she was happy too. As for her and Ron's relationship, they would have to make it work, even with the distance.
"Oh, I'm sure professor Flitwick would be more than happy to have you as his apprentice.", Minerva interrupted her thoughts "He always said that he was proud of your performance in class and that he admired your ambition. As for Severus, I am sure that he would like to have you too…" the woman paused, distracted by a thought before ending, still distracted: "When you have decided, please let me know so that I can help you."
"Of course, professor, thank you". Hermione responded. She noticed the pause in the professor's speech and she understood what she thought of. He would not like to have her as his apprentice. "But I still have a year before I must decide and will think about it thoroughly after my exams." Hermione continued hoping to end the discussion on the matter.
Minerva nodded then she stopped in front of the gargoyle outside the Headmaster's office and whispered "lemon drop". The statue moved aside, letting the two women climb on the circular moving staircase up to Dumbledore's office.