Hi everyone back with another chapter. By the way a huge thank you to my reviewers, you guys are totally awesome. A big thank you to Bernadette, I couldn't respond to your review, but thanks heaps you are great.

Hope you enjoy this one.

Sirius xoxo

Chapter 4

The following morning was awkward at first but then they talked about the fact that Harry had no reason to be jealous of her family. She explained the relationships she had with the Weasley's and the reason behind her name change. Mr and Mrs Weasley legally adopted her according to the wizarding world laws because other wise they couldn't be her legal guardians and that caused all sorts of problems. Harry listened while she told him about the hardest time in her life. The last thing she wanted to do was to lose the only link to her parents that she had, her name, but the Weasley's assumed she would change her name, and she couldn't hurt them. It wasn't until she became a Professor that she took her birth name back, and even though it hurt Molly, Arthur understood. It was never about disrespecting them, it was only ever about holding onto her birth right.

"So that's the long drawn out story Harry, they all still call me Hermione Weasley but I introduce myself as a Granger and work know me as Granger." Harry had listened to her story and if he felt crap about how he acted this morning, then he felt even worse now. He had been walking through Hogsmeade the other day and spotted a bracelet in the jewellery store and he went back to buy it before she returned for dinner. But he wanted to give it to her at the right time and he thought that maybe now was that time. Harry stood up and walked into the house, he quickly grabbed the bracelet out of his jacket pocket and returned to her side.

She was still sitting under the willow tree on the wooden outdoor setting. Harry took in the vision and he knew once he did this there was no turning back, he would have to tell her everything soon.

He walked over to were she was sipping her tea and he sat back down on the chair. He looked at her face and noticed she was crying.

"Hermione what's wrong? Is it me and my behaviour last night, because I apologise immensely?"

Hermione shook her head and said no, she looked up at him and smiled.

"It's just that I have been so happy these last two weeks and soon I have to leave, I have to start work on Thursday, I can't get out of it Harry, I have responsibilities. It's just that I am going to miss you so much." Harry stood up and pulled her into a hug. He wanted to cry too.

"Hermione I have something for you to remember me by, at least until the weekend." Hermione laughed and wiped at the tears on her face. Harry took out the box and opened it for her. She gasped when she saw the emerald and diamond bracelet.

"Oh good grief Harry I couldn't accept this, it's too much!" Hermione's hand flew to her mouth as he placed it around her delicate wrist.

"It is not too much for you, you are worth so much more to me than a bracelet Hermione, I just hope you look at it and remember the good times we shared and will share." Hermione nodded and Harry wiped away her tears again. She threw her hands around his neck and kissed him soundly. They headed inside the house and had a relaxing day, reading books and listening to music and after the horrible night they had, they also had a nap in the afternoon. Hermione awoke after Harry and found him in the kitchen quickly scribbling a note.

"Hey Harry, everything ok?" Harry was concentrating on the note and after he finished he answered her.

"I'm not sure Hermione, my Godfather has sent an urgent message, I may have to leave in the morning, I am sorry it was your last day before work starts."

"No no Harry, don't apologise, if he needs you, you must go." Harry nodded, concern still etched on his face. That night they fell asleep by the open fire and when Harry awoke at 1am, he carried her back to his bed. Harry awoke at 6 to the sound of an owl tapping and Hermione awoke as soon as he left her side.

"What is it Harry? Your Godfather?"

"Yes Hermione, I am so sorry, I have to leave." Harry jumped up. Hermione yelled out to him, "Now Harry, do you have to go now?" a muffled yes came from the bathroom and Hermione shook her head and stood up to get her clothes organised. Harry rushed out of the bathroom and saw her collecting her things.

"I am so sorry Hermione, I will owl you as soon as I can."

"No worries Harry, be safe." Hermione mumbled into his chest as he hugged her tightly.

"It's fine Harry, I had to leave tomorrow anyway, please don't feel bad." Harry apologised again and then ran to get some papers in order. Hermione shrunk her items and made sure she had everything from the bathroom and the drawers and then she kissed him goodbye and apparated into her room. She looked at the clock and it wasn't even 7 yet, so she went back to sleep.

She was awoken by Dobby, the house elf at Hogwarts, at 8am for breakfast. She quickly showered and went down to see the staff she hadn't seen in weeks.

Her and Neville had a good conversation and she told him about her wonderful new man. He had some exciting news of his own, he finally proposed to his girlfriend of five years and she said yes. Hermione asked for all the details and Neville was more than happy to provide extended pieces of information wherever he could.

Jenny Young was a beautiful young lady who worked at Ginny's magazine. She was her secretary so she didn't travel and Ginny introduced her to her friend Neville, when Jenny had first started and they had been together ever since. They made an adorable couple and all this talk about weddings started Hermione imagining what her wedding would look like with Harry. The Wednesday was usually a quiet day, so when they went down to lunch and Professor Dumbledore was absent, Hermione asked where he was.

"Did you get the office memo Hermione?" Neville asked as he scoffed another piece of pumpkin pie down his throat.

"Yeah the one about Daniel Springwood leaving, I read that one." Neville nodded and then wiped his mouth.

"Yeah Dumbledore is interviewing today so the newie can start on Monday."

"Ohhh, that's good we need some fresh blood around here, everyone is so old." Neville looked hurt and shocked and she laughed at his reaction.

After lunch Hermione went to her house room and had a talk to the seniors who were back from holidays early. Just the usual talk, this is an important year, look out for the younger students, you have a responsibility now you're in 7th year and so on and so on. She sat and talked to the students and answered any questions that they had about their Newts, the final exams for their schooling year. She left there mid afternoon and wondered what Harry was doing right now.

She went up to her room and decided to relax and take some time to read a good book. The afternoon went by and after dinner, Neville convinced her to go with him and Jenny down to the Piano Bar. She agreed and the two girls talked weddings all night. It was getting late, and Nev was slightly bored, so they went back to their quarters and Hermione went to bed. She tossed and turned and when she realised that she was so used to being in Harry's bed, she laughed. She had forgotten what it was like to sleep alone.

Thursday morning was hectic. There were staff meetings all morning and then lessons to be organised all afternoon. It was at dinner that Professor Dumbledore announced to the staff that he had chosen his DADA teacher.

"Well who is it and where are they?"

"The young man won't be here till tomorrow as he has loose ends to tie up at his hometown. He is quite young, only 28..."

"Only 28, Professor are you sure, he is so young..," Professor Alice Dean stated. She was appointed the Potions mistress two years ago. At her comment, Hermione and Neville looked away.

"I don't feel his age is of any consequence Alice, we have younger staff here at Hogwarts and they do an exceptional job.."

"Oh Sir I mean no disrespect, it's just that Hermione and Neville are extremely bright and are exceptions to the rules, but a DADA so young, it seems bazaar." Hermione and Neville didn't know which way to look. How embarrassing.

"All of that aside, this young man comes to us with a lot of experience and you will meet him tomorrow at the staff luncheon."

"Why so late Sir, is he going to have time to find his way around?" Hermione asked.

"I am glad you volunteered Professor Granger, I am sure you will develop a nice working relationship with him, as you did with Professor Springwood. I shall put him under your guidance."

Great how do I manage that all the time.

"Yes sir, not a problem." Hermione forced a smile on her face.

After dinner Hermione decided to have a look at the timetables and see if she could organise some work for this guy starting tomorrow. She saw that he had first years up first on Monday and the seventh years for the afternoon. Her timetable was similar so she organised some work so she could show him over the weekend and hopefully he would be prepared for Monday. She meant to ask Professor Dumbledore what school he had taught at before or if he had even taught before, how terrible if this man had never worked in a school before.

She sat down before bed and wrote a nice long lengthy letter to her Harry.

Dearest Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well. I miss you so terribly I can't describe the pain I feel. I hope you will be back home soon as I can't wait to be in your arms again.

Work is full on, as it usually is at the beginning of the school year, actually as I write this I can't quite recall whether I told you I teach at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. I love it and I find it very fulfilling.

Anyway, I have a new staff member to break in this weekend so I am flat out all day Saturday and apparently the other Professors have decided to go down to the Piano Bar to welcome him to London, on Saturday night. I hope you will be home in time to meet me there. I would love to introduce you to my workmates.

Well that also means I have Sunday free, so I am hoping to come home with you on Saturday night and then leave Sunday afternoon, before the children arrive? Let me know if that will work out.

Well I must go to sleep now, it's getting late and I am finding it really hard to fall asleep without you, you are addictive Mr Potter!

All my love Harry,

Yours forever Hermione.

Hermione walked up to the owlery and sent her letter off. She walked back down to her quarters and then as exhaustion seeped through her body, she let sleep overcome her.

Hermione awoke early and had a nice shower. She had had a nightmare last night that she was all alone locked in a small room. It didn't matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find her way out of the room. She awoke with a gasp and then couldn't go back to sleep.

She had breakfast and then went over a few more classes she had pre-organised. The morning dragged on as she was so ready. She found Neville and saw how flat out he was so she helped him until lunch. They were walking down to the great hall to finally meet the new staff member and Neville was having a laugh about what the potions Professor had said yesterday.

"OH yes Professor, Hermione and Neville are the exceptions..." Neville imitated Alice's voice and Hermione was laughing so hard she couldn't keep walking. She leant up against the wall near the hall to get her self composed. Neville walked in and then Hermione followed behind him and walked towards the group of Professors, obviously surrounding the new Professor. As she approached the group, Professor Dumbledore called attention.

"Attention please staff, Harry could you please come up here." Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, it couldn't be who she thought.

She watched in slow motion as her Harry walked up to Professor Dumbledore , shook his hand and then turned around to make eye contact with Hermione.

She was shocked but then she was ecstatic. Her Harry was here. This was perfect, she would be with him every single day. Professor Dumbledore started talking and Hermione made her eyes travel to her boss. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face, she honestly believed all her Christmas's had come at once.

"Attention staff, please make welcome, Professor Harry Potter. He is here from America and was previously an Auror. We are extremely privileged to have his expertise here at our school. Mr Potter, please make yourself comfortable and we hope you will settle in with us here."

The smile on Hermione's face could have lit a darkened alley. She wanted to scream out to the world how happy she was, she wanted to attack Harry where he stood but she had to remain professional.

Harry stood with Professor Dumbledore and the other staff asked many questions. Harry answered them all and then Alice asked where he would be staying, which quarters were his.

"Professor Potter has permission to live off the grounds ..." there were hushes through the crowd and Hermione smiled, yes he can live at home which means so can I.

"... Professor Potter has permission to live in Hogsmeade with his wife."

So now we know what he is hiding. Please review if you like.

Sirius xoxo