When Hermione was finished with her dinner, she made her way to the Headmistress office to see her. To say that Hermione was nervous was an understatement. She couldn't figure out why the Headmistress wanted to see her. She couldn't possibly be in trouble, she was ahead in her homework, and she hasn't gotten into any trouble with anyone. She was stumped. When she got to the gargoyle she stated the password and entered. A quick knock on the door and she heard an "Enter"

"Ah Miss Granger please have a seat." The Headmistress waived to the chair in front of her desk, Hermione sat down. "You may be wondering why you are here?"

"Yes Professor." She said nervously.

"No need to worry, you are not in any trouble. Though the same cannot be said for me." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "You see, ever since I took on the duties as Headmistress and Transfiguration Professor at the same time, I find myself to be doing each job only to the minimum. And I demand perfection from my students, so how can I perform any less."

"I understand Professor."

"Good, now for as to why I have asked you hear. You see I have been thoroughly searching for a replacement Professor and I have been coming up short, however I seem to have been looking in the wrong place." the older woman looked at Hermione with kind eyes and smiled. "I would like to offer you the position granted you complete a year of apprenticeship and following that a year as a student teacher. Though it would mostly be a formal title as I have no doubt you are more than capable of teaching that class in your sleep. Now I don't need a decision now as it wouldn't start until after you graduate. I don't want to overload you. And you and Mr. Longbottom can decide who will be Head of Gryffindor."

"Professor I really don't know what to say. I am honored you would consider me for the position."

"You have been my star pupil since you first came to this school. I have no doubt you would be a great Professor and mentor to future students." The Headmistress walked around her desk and sat on it directly in front of Hermione. "You my dear are my hero, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you, or Mr. Longbottom. You both deserve great happiness and success for the sacrifices you have both made for our world." She pulled Hermione into a hug which Hermione gladly reciprocated with tears in her eyes.

"I won't let you down Professor. Thank You." She pulled away from the Headmistress, as she wiped her eyes.

"Now off to bed, we wouldn't want Mr. Filch to catch you out past curfew. He is so infuriating with that shrieking he does." They both chuckled and said their goodbyes.

Hermione made her way back to the tower and found Neville reading in front of the fire. When she came in he looked up and smiled at her.

"Hey how did it go with the Professor?" He inquired.

"Great actually. She offered me a job." She stated

"A job, what job?" He was confused.

"I'm going to be the new Transfiguration Professor, when I am done with my training of course." She said happily.

He couldn't help himself, he threw down his book and rushed over to her picked her up and spun her around.

"This is so great Hermione!" They both laughed and he put her down but didn't let her go. She looked into his eyes and noticed they were at her lips, she went weak in the knees, but he held her up. She glanced at his plump and warm looking lips and wished to Merlin for him to kiss her.

"Hermione, I'm going to kiss you now." She nodded giving her consent. He captured her lips in a searing kiss. She tasted like pumpkin juice and he moaned. He tightened his grip on her as he could feel her legs give way. She moved her hands up to his face and embedded her fingers in his soft thick curls. She pressed her body closer to him. As he played with the hem of her jumper he slowly guided her down onto the sofa and she wrapped her legs around his waist and she could feel his arousal on her core. He moved from her lips to her neck and up to her ear suckling on the sensitive spot behind it. She ground her hips into his and he growled and bucked into her. She ran her hands down his back and pulled up his shirt to feel his soft warm skin underneath. Déjà vu.