A.N: Due to the fact that so many people have contacted me about a certain character's age in this chapter, I thought it best to inform you all now that I have not made a mistake and it is all part of the plot...


Chapter Eight: The Welcome Feast

Fortunately for Hermione, she passed nobody but Nearly Headless Nick on the way up to the Great Hall. It was a solemn walk, yet it provided the perfect conditions for contemplation and also the recuperation of much needed courage. Many things were playing on the new Transfiguration Professor's mind.

She had never left Septima alone before except with Harry and Ginny and so the concept of Eli looking after her daughter worried her dearly. It wasn't that Eli was incapable, for she knew he was, (any house elf that was also owned by Severus Snape was surely more than competent,) it was more motherly paranoia that aggravated Hermione's busy mind.

Severus was also a constant theme within her apprehensions for many reasons. Hermione desperately wanted him to play a major role in Septima's life; guiding her, protecting her and most importantly loving her. There was no doubt in her mind that Snape would protect Septima, (as he had always protected her, Ron and Harry,) but the young witch hoped that he would protect the little girl for love rather than duty.

As she reached the large oak doors which separated her from Hogwarts' faculty and student body, nerves began to take hold. If she took one more step she had completed a journey from student to Professor; a journey which she never indented to make. On the other side of that door was six hundred teenagers and several of her old Professors; most probably all waiting for her, McGonagall and the new intake. All eyes would be on her.

With all the Gryffindor courage she could summon, she pushed the two doors aside and strode purposefully inside, head held high and eyes focused on the head table were she would be seated for the first time. By the time she neared the table all eyes were truly on her. To her dismay, she took the only seat available; between Albus and Severus. The dark wizard simply nodded as she sat down beside him whereas the Headmaster put a loving arm around her and pecked her on the cheek. Severus "huffed" unceremoniously at Albus' public display of emotion.

Before Hermione had the chance to fix her robes into a more comfortable position, the door from which she had just entered swung open revealing the lean frame of Minerva McGonagall. In an over-exaggerated display of authority, the elder witch led a large crowd of awestruck eleven year olds up towards the head table and around an old rickety stool holding the Sorting Hat.

"When I call your name," began the deputy Headmistress, "you will come forth to be sorted." She unrolled a short scroll and began to read off the names.

"Anderson, Abigail…" A dark haired girl stepped forward nervously and took her seat. Without hesitation the old hat bellowed, "Hufflepuff!"

Within no time, Gryffindor received almost two dozen new students along with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Slytherin meanwhile, received only a handful (Hermione deducted that this was due to the extraordinary number of Slytherin fatalities during the war.)

"Malfoy, Scorpius," called Minerva, immediately grabbing Hermione's attention. A lean blonde boy with dark grey eyes stepped forward in an accustomed nervous manner. Hermione insides shook with anguish. She hadn't seen Draco since that night: the night he disappeared with Severus. Was it possible that this was his son?

She glanced beside her at Severus who almost read her mind and nodded in agreement. It was Draco Malfoy's son. "Slytherin" screeched the Hat and the young boy took his place at the green clad table, looking rather like his father.

Once the sorting drew to a close and all the new students were seated Albus stood in a familiar stance awaiting silence from the exited student body. He smiled when all conversation ceased, and six hundred faces turned to face him.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome. I hope that you all enjoyed the holidays' greatly and are indeed fully prepared for the new school year. I do wish to get everybody up to date with all the changes that have occurred during the summer, but I must enforce some very important rules beforehand. I am sure you are all aware of the increase in Death Eater activity prior to this evening. Despite Voldemort's downfall, there are still a few of the masked creatures out and about, initiating mayhem onto the streets of Muggle London. As such, I enforce the necessity for all students to abide by curfews and that the Forbidden Forest is most definitely out of bounds. Any rule 

breaking this year will lead to a months worth of detentions and further disobedience leading the expulsion of the students involved." Hermione couldn't remember Albus ever being this strict when she was at school, even when The Dark Lord himself was at large. "On a brighter note," continued the Headmaster, "I have to introduce you all to a new member of the Staff Faculty. Professor Hermione Granger will be the new Transfiguration Professor following Professor McGonagall's decision to become a Part-Time member of staff. Some of you may already know Professor Granger from various other places or occasions, and therefore shall be fully aware of her prestigious character and aptitude for knowledge." Hermione blushed beside him and Severus nearly chocked on his drink. 'Hermione Granger prestigious; Albus really did have high opinions of the girl,' thought Severus, 'no woman' he corrected.

"I hope that you all treat her with the up most respect and in return I am sure you will all pass with flying colours," Albus continued. Hermione beamed out at the hundreds of smiling faces before her.

"Professor Granger shall be living in a tower, which I built specifically for her, off the Dungeon Corridor. The new tower is of course off limits to any student without prior confirmation from Miss Granger. Moving on, Professor Snape shall also be teaching one Seventh Year Transfiguration class per week." Several sighs emanated from the gathering of students and Hermione heard Severus snarl besides her. Albus' announcement was news to her; how on earth could she share classes with him? He truly was insufferable when in 'Professor Mode'. She needed to have words with the Headmaster as soon as possible. Hermione Granger and Severus Snape were most definitely not professionally compatible!"

"Now, I can hear your stomachs growling at me to close this speech so I shall do just that. Good luck this forthcoming year to you all." With a simple motion of his large hands hundreds upon hundreds of plates of food emerged out of thin air and filled both the student and teacher tables.

Dumbledore sat back down besides Hermione.

"Did you and Miss Septima settle in okay?" he began whist carving a large leg of lamb.

"Albus the tower is absolutely beautiful, we both love it. Thank you again."

"No my dear, thank YOU for taking me up on my offer, it is a pleasure to have you back. And indeed the delightful Septima; I must ask her to come and have a play day with Minerva and I some time." The last bit of his sentence was muffled and Hermione knew that he meant to think it, rather than actually say it.

"Oh and Albus before I forget, why exactly is Professor Snape sharing my classes?"

"Minerva and I decided that you and Septima won't have enough time to spend together, as the Transfiguration work load is immense. Thus, if Severus takes your only class on a Friday, then that gives you a three day weekend and plenty of time to spend with Septima."

"Albus you shouldn't have. I don't wish to put Severus out."

"Severus has nothing better to do. It's about time he started putting his free periods to better use."

"Albus I am here you know!" snarled Severus as he played with his roast potatoes on his plate.

"So you are my boy," retorted Albus simply not wanting to bait the agitated Potions Master.

Albus turned away from Hermione and Severus to talk to Minerva who was sat proudly at his other side, leaving his abandoned side sparse of conversation. Hermione immediately noticed this and thought it best to try and prise some conversation out of Septima's father.

"So Severus, sharing classes. I think its best that we plan lessons together for the Seventh years, as it wouldn't do to repeat lessons that the other has already done."

Severus turned slowly towards her his dark eyes resting on hers and a snarl playing about his lips. Hermione shivered at the intensity of his gaze. "Miss Granger, why, prey tell, are you telling me such inane things. I neither care about what 'you think best' or ask for it."

How dare he be so rude! "Severus I was merely telling you so that any unnecessary problems do not occur!"

"Problems always occur, Miss Granger, and planning will does not prevent accidents."

Hermione knew he was referring to Septima as a mass of anger built up inside her.

"Some accidents, Severus Snape, turn out to be wonderful, beautiful and intelligent accidents that require the love and care of both parties that created them."

"Some accidents, would be acknowledged and resolved given time, if one member of the party wasn't pushing the other in a small corner so suddenly!"

'What so he wants to see Septima?' Hermione's anger turned to confusion as Severus turned back to his dinner.

"Severus! Do not turn your back on me after making an exclamation like that!"

"I am sorry Professor Granger," he began sarcastically, "would you rather continue this discussion amongst several hundred pupils and the rest of the staff?"

Hermione looked around to see several faces gawping up at her. Obviously, she had shouted a tad too loud.

"No Severus I would not, however since this is the only place in which I see you, I have no other choice."

"If you would like to talk like reasonable adults then Hogsmede would provide adequate surroundings, not here. But if you'd rather everybody know our business…"

"Of course not you half wit," she interrupted, "Hogsmede will be more than fine. Tonight?"

"No next year! Of course tonight you silly chit, seven o'clock at the main gates. And I am sure you remember that I despise lateness nearly as much as I despise Gryffindors!"

"Of course Professor. I shall be prompt."

Hermione couldn't help smiling. Maybe Septima would have a Father after all. She felt Severus stand beside her and make his way down the hall in between the tables, his robes billowing dramatically as he walked. He had put on a bit of much needed weight since the war and it suited him well. Severus Snape was beginning to look rather appealing to the new Transfiguration Professor. She tore her eyes away from his arse and shook her head in surprise. 'It's Severus Snape,' she thought, 'what in Merlin's name are you thinking!'


A.N- Thank you to the few reviewers who took the time out to do just that. I don't want to sound like a broken record but some encouragement would go an awful long way. Keep reading and the Hermione/Severus Hogsmede date is next.