Chapter 4 - Home Again
Hey everyone ! Sorry it took me ages to update , ya see the last few chapters i've been uploading off my laptop but i've just got my computer back and have had to sort out the internet and all that lot. But don't worry here is the 4th chapter and i hope you like it!
If people think it's a bit short don't worry i'll try to make it longer! Thankds for all those people that has reviewed i can't believe that i've got 40 reviews on only 3 chapters! it's a big shock for me and i just want to say thanks!
Hermione smiled as she looked upon the familiar castle. As she apperated t the borders of the school she tapped the rusted iron gates with her wand and they automatically creaked open.
'Dumbledore must have made the gates so they recognise me' she thought as she walked over the grounds, gripping onto her bag with white fingers. It was nice to walk over the green grass again. When she reached the old hut that belonged to her old friend Hagrid she smiled as memories of her time at Hogwarts ran through her mind. She, Harry and Ron had spent some of their time at this small home. Shaking her head she carried on up the hill to the grand school she would always remember.
As she reached the stone steps, nerves began to erupt in her stomach. What if Hogwarts had changed? What if the professors resented her for taking madam Pomfrey's place!
She shook her head. No, she knew they wouldn't do that, she was after all the smartest witch in her year and Madam Pomfrey always said that if she was to go that she was to go she wanted Hermione to take over for her. That was part of the reason she took the job. Because she had done the first part of her training with madam Pomfrey for a year before she carried on in St Mungo's.
Walking up the steps she gasped as she saw who was stood at the door.
"Severus."
Severus had been walking around all day to try and get the feelings from his stomach. He told himself it was just because someone was taking Poppy's place but inside he knew the real reason. He was to see Hermione Granger again.
Bloody Dumbledore and his meddling ways! He knew many good women to take poppy's place but no he had to take poppy's words for real and choose the one woman he didn't want to see again.
He had gone to the Headmaster again and asked if McGonagall could meet her at the doors but he simply chuckled and shook his head.
"Severus," he had said "This is your job and I am telling you to do it," he told him. Severus just rolled his eyes and angrily stormed from the room. He felt sorry for any Students that aggravated him that day.
At 5:25pm he made his way to the main doors of the school. He'd be damned if he even thought of waiting for her if she was late. So he prayed that she would be on time of she would be left to rudely interrupt Dinner.
Opening the door he glanced round and sighed. Why was he acting like a scared teenager? She had probably forgotten about that night and was married and had plenty of kids. So why was he acting like she would grab him and snog the pants of him?
Because that's what you really want. A small voice told him in his mind. He shook his head. No way did he want her to do that she was going to be his colleague and their relationship would be strictly professional.
Yeah, professionally full of sex! The voice said again.
His eyes widened and he walked from the door and paced up and down on the stone platform before the steps to clear his mind.
'What did I have to do to that potion?' he thought to himself, 'Oh yes, put in the boomslang skin and let it simmer for five minutes.' He thought making a list in his mind while pacing back and forth. After a few minutes of making potions lists in his mind he felt more relaxed and had nearly forgotten about Hermione…Until a voice made him stop in his tracks.
"Severus."
He slowly turned to where the voice had come from and came face to face with a woman.
She had long honey coloured thick curls pulled up into a ponytail and her chocolate coloured eyes glinted in the evening sun. He frowned, not recognising the woman. It couldn't be Hermione…could it? She would have been about 25 years old now…this woman only looked about 20!
"Can I help you?" he asked politely but with a sarcastic tone. She giggled.
"Severus it's me. Don't you recognise me?" she asked. He looked her up and down and shook his head.
"I'm sorry but no," he said. She smiled sweetly.
"It's me. Hermione."
She watched him as his eyes widened in shock. She looked down at herself and frowned. She did look alright didn't she? She had put on her black jeans and flat boots with her blue shirt and cream coloured thin scarf.
"I apologise Miss Granger. I did not recognise you." He said. She frowned and nodded.
"It's ok. I guess I do look a bit different to when I was last at Hogwarts. That was 8 years ago. Yet it all looks the same," she said, her eyes travelling around the grounds. Turning back to him she smiled. I suppose you know why I'm here?" she asked. He nodded and walked over to the door.
"If you please Miss Granger. The headmaster is waiting for you in the Great hall." He said leading her to the door. She nodded and muttered a quiet 'thank you' before walking through the great front doors.
She grinned as she was welcomed with a familiar sight. The entrance hall was still as inviting as ever and the staircase leading towards the Grand Staircase was still as beautiful. With the sound of children talking as they waited for dinner to be served she remembered when Ron always complained when they had to wait. She chuckled to herself as she saw Severus past her.
"Follow me please." He said without a look back. She frowned again. Why was he being so distant? When she had left they were supposed to be on good terms…like friends.
Shrugging to herself she followed him and took a deep breath.
As the doors to the Great hall opened automatically she suddenly because shy. Everyone's eyes were on her and Severus and she looked down at her feet. Suddenly she heard a voice.
"Hey look! It's Auntie Mia!"
She looked up and spotted to red head girls standing from their seats and waving over at her. She grinned and waved back before starting to feel more confident in herself.
"Mia!" another voice yelled from the Ravenclaw table yelled. She looked over and grinned at a Brown haired boy with many freckles over his face. He was Percy's youngest son. And the two twin girls were Fred's children. She felt happy that children she knew were at Hogwarts.
"Ah Healer Granger how nice it is to see you again!" The headmaster exclaimed standing from his seat. She smiled and nodded. "Why don't you come sit next to me for tonight's dinner? I'm sure Professor McGonagall won't mind sitting next to professor Trelawney for a change. Hermione giggled as her old Transfiguration professor's eyes widened as she glared at the headmaster before moving from her seat. Hermione gave her an apologetic look before taking her seat in between Dumbledore and Severus.
Once dinner was served she tucked into her meal and happily watched the students eat and chat to their leisure.
"I am thankful you cam at such a short notice Healer Granger." Dumbledore said o her. She took a sip from her goblet and smiled.
"Please headmaster. I am not at work anymore and I am neither a student anymore. I must insist you call me Hermione." She told him. His eyes glinted happily as he nodded.
"Of course, Hermione I am sorry. I know it must be difficult for you to change jobs in such a short notice but after Poppy left us I didn't think we would find anybody qualified enough and caring enough to become our medi-witch." He explained. She nodded.
"I understand headmaster. I will miss Madam Pomfrey also." She said.
"She gave you the first year of you healer education didn't she?" he asked. Hermione nodded.
"Yes. As soon as I left Hogwarts I moved into a small home in Hogsmade and I apprenticed with her for a year." She told him. He nodded.
"She told me she would have kept you here longer but you were smart enough to move on," he said. She smiled and nodded
"It was hard to leave but when I got a job at St Mungo's I made new friends and learnt more things." She said, "But now I am ready to move on. I love children. My youngest Godchildren I told you of are like Sons and daughter to me. The twins in Gryffindor and Bobby in Ravenclaw are very close to me as well. I adore all the Weasleys." She said smiling over at the two twins who were laughing and giggling with their friends.
"I am glad you say that Hermione. I am pleased that you are ready to take this job as well. The school needs a boost and I'm sure you are going to be the one to give it." He said. She grinned then a thought came to mind.
"You may not know headmaster but Ginny potter, Harry's wife, is expecting another child and I am her Healer. Would it be possible to use the Hospital Wing for her monthly check up's and meetings?" she asked. He nodded.
"Of course. After tonight it will be your Hospital Wing to use as you see fit. And I would be delighted to see Harry again." He said. She nodded.
"I'll make sure he comes along. And I'll make sure they bring little James." She said.
Beside her Severus scoffed.
"Please don't tell me that Potter had reproduced?" he said. She turned in her seat and smirked.
"Yes Severus. He's five and they called him James Harrison Potter. Just think, in about six year's time you will have another potter roaming these halls and he'll be called James." She told him. He groaned and speared his sausage.
"I can't wait." He said sarcastically, glaring at the two Weasley twins. She laughed and returned to her Dinner. Suddenly Dumbledore stood and she looked at him.
"Students! As you all know madam Pomfrey, our beloved medi-witch, sadly left us. You have been travelling to Professor McGonagall to receive medical attention and Professor Snape. But now, you can all go back to the hospital Wing as we have found another Medi-witch. Please, join me in welcoming Madam Granger!" he exclaimed. Hermione grinned and waved as the hall went into cheers. Some of the 6th and 7th years who still remembered her from when she lived in Hogsmade and would always be found in Honeydukes recommending different sweets. The Weasly twins clapped the loudest and had gotten all her friends to join in.
Laughing quietly to herself, she blushed a little when someone wolf whistled. She heard Severus scoff.
"Randy teenagers," (Just for you 'ZeebyHeartsYou-x!) he muttered to himself, making her laugh out loud.
Once Dinner was over Severus made his way back to his office. Seeing Hermione again made his mind go mad. He needed something to do to get her off his mind.
When he walked through the door he spotted a pile of essays on his desk. Quietly thanking the students for bringing their homework in on time he sat behind his desk and pulled the top essay off the pile. Getting his red ink and quill he began to mark the essay, all the while thinking of the girl that had become Healer to the school.
She looked absolutely fabulous in them jeans. And that shirt showed off all her curves. She had defiantly become a woman in between seeing her.
Suddenly he stopped his thoughts. 'What are you doing old man? She's too young for you to be having impure thoughts about her!" he thought to himself.
Sighing he placed his quill on the desk. He couldn't concentrate. Maybe a good night's sleep may take his mind off things. Locking and warding the door to his office he walked over to the opposite wall and whispered a short password that made the wall slide up into the ceiling. That was the best thing about his private quarters, they were completely concealed behind the wall and no one could enter.
Walking in to his Living room he poured himself a glass of whisky. 'Forget sleep' he thought 'this will take my mind off her' he said downing the glass in one. Pouring himself another he sat in his armchair and stared at the fire. Thank god it was a Saturday tomorrow.
Looking around her new rooms Hermione grinned as she began to unpack. Her bag that she had with her was a shrunken carry all, that she had packed the night before.
Her rooms were lovely. The walls were painted a cream colour that went beautifully with the wooden furniture. She had a nicely sized living room that had a small wooden table at the end for her to eat her own meals on if she didn't want to join them for breakfast, lunch or Dinner. There was a kitchen with clean white tiles which was right next door to the living room. There were plates and cups and bowls and cutlery to use that were all clean. Her bedroom was the best though.
It had a large wooden four poster bed with soft cream coloured sheets and a comfy mattress. The curtains were a dark red that kept any light out what so ever. She had a desk a bookshelf and the biggest closet she had ever seen.
It was connected to her office which was in the Hospital wing at the back. So if anybody needed her for an emergency she was easily accessible.
Changing into her night clothes she sat on her three seated sofa with her favourite book and a glass of wine. She was going to be really happy here. Even though she missed her little flat, she would quickly get used to this new home.