The sunlight falls over crisp sheets, as Hermione half sits up and rubs the sleep from her eyes. The sounds of the early fall morning travelling up through the half open window, Hogsmeade already becoming busy with people getting ready for the impending school year. Pushing her hair out of her face she sighs, dreading having to get up from the cozy sanctuary of bed. Taking a deep breath Hermione looked around the cozy apartment, from the soft white comforter to the reading chair in the corner with the floor around it scattered with books, and notes, it all screamed new, fresh. A new apartment, a new job, new Hermione. The only thing that stayed it seems was Crookshank, who currently looked at her from his spot in the sunlight.

For it only being her twenty second birthday she felt much older than that, more tired than ever before. The last year had been trying to say the least, Hermione thought to herself, things weren't supposed to be this… difficult. After the war she fell into the role of hero, and friend of the chosen one quite easily. But that fame never lasts long, even for the gravity of what she had been through, was it really worth it? Finally rolling out of bed she stretched, making her way over to her kitchenette the first thing she knew she needed was tea. Pulling out the kettle she smiled and looked over at the fluffy mass rolling around on his back. "I'm glad you like the place," she said somewhat bitterly. Uncertain if she was being bitter with the whole new situation, or the fact that he seemed so at ease with it all. After the war ended Hermione lived at the Burrow, falling into a routine of work, books, and Ron. Now that had all changed, new job at Hogwarts teaching History of Magic, books were more complicated, and no Ron. The kettle screamed behind her, snapping her out of her pity party.

Hermione sipped her morning tea, sitting at her kitchen table pouring over her albeit complicated curriculum. One more week, and she would have a full plate, and less time to sulk. On the top of the pile of books sat probably her most prized possession, a first edition copy of A History of Magic signed by the author herself, Bathilda Bagshot. Thank you, Harry Potter, she smiled to herself. It may have been bought as a somewhat olive branch but she couldn't help but love it regardless. Looking down at the cup of lukewarm tea in her hands, Hermione's heart sank a little bit. Just barely there, fading from existence was the tan from her engagement ring. Soon enough it would be nothing more than a passing memory, something that might have been had there still been some honesty left. The war changed all of them, some it made stronger, others it made unstable. She blinked back tears quickly, trying to turn her mind to more positive things.

It was a miracle that Hermione got the position in the first place. Professor, sorry no, Headmistress McGonagall had been writing to her the last two years trying to get her to take the position so she could finally sack Binns as the teacher. Not that Hermione could blame her, she was most likely the only person in Hogwarts who resisted falling asleep in his class. She sat back in her chair, taking a long swig of tea she tried to calm the nerves that made her breathing speed up and her heart pound uncomfortably loud in her ears, making the room close in around her. She shook her head nervously, getting up from the table. It was just about time to floo to Hogwarts and meet with McGonagall to finalize everything. See her new office, learn who would be teaching at Hogwarts as well. It gave Hermione some relief to know that she would be surrounded by some familiar faces. Walking into the bathroom she took a good look at herself, touching her hair carefully she grimaces, curls sticking up all over the place, ever since she left Ron truthfully, she gave up a little. Not getting blowouts and looking prim and proper like she would because Ron loved her hair straight. "I have got to do something about this hair Crook." She called out into the hallway, "I have also got to get a social life." She muttered to herself before lifting the baggy grey sleep shirt over her head.

Stepping out of the green flames, Hermione stepped into the foyer of McGonagall's office, everything was almost the same as the last time she had been in this office. Hermione smiled, feeling that familiar rush of home. Regardless of the war Hogwarts would always been a place she would love to come back to. Taking a seat in one of the large leather couches in the sitting area Hermione helped herself to a lemon drop in a bowl on the table. "Some things never change," she thinks to herself, rolling the familiar bittersweet candy over her tongue. After a few minutes the door abruptly opens and McGonagall and Neville Longbottom step out.

"Hermione Granger." Neville says and she gets to her feet, the two quickly closing the space between them in a fierce hug, Hermione noticing just how much she craved another human being's presence.

"Neville Longbottom, how have you been?" She smiled brightly and pulled away to get a better look at him. Neville had almost completely changed, no longer the awkward teen she remembered so fondly, but a handsome young man.

"Fantastic, second year teaching Herbology so I couldn't be happier." He replied, still keeping his hands on her upper arms, his smile still the same as ever. "Professor McGonagall told me you'd be taking over History of Magic, thank god, the students are going to love you."

"Thank you!" she gave his arm a light squeeze, "I best not keep her waiting, I'll owl you once I get home and we'll make plans to have tea before the school year begins."

"Of course, I'll hear from you soon Hermione!" he turned to leave, "we'll see you in a few days Minerva." Hermione felt strange hearing the Headmistresses first name coming from Neville's mouth, oh well, I guess I have to get used to it soon enough, she thought to herself.

"Miss Granger, please take a seat." McGonagall motioned before her, and Hermione settled into a large, plush leather chair. Behind McGonagall a very large portrait of Dumbledore stared down at her, smiling behind his signature half-moon spectacles.

"Welcome back Miss Granger." The portrait said, and she felt a lump in her throat, it had been a long time since she heard that voice.

"Thank you, Professor, it's good to be back," Hermione smiled at him bittersweetly. Dumbledore excused himself from the frame, moving though others till he was out of sight. "It's good to see you again as well, three years is a long time."

"Hogwarts has kept me busy, that's for sure. I am overjoyed that you are finally joining the staff, I could never see you as a Ministry worker." Hermione raised an eyebrow at this, puzzled. "That mind is far too brilliant to not share its knowledge with others."

"Thank you, professor," Hermione said blushing, earning a smile from McGonagall.

"Minerva, please. I don't expect the formalities behind closed doors," Minerva chided her playfully, "now, I assume you've made yourself friendly with the curriculum?"

"Was there any doubt?" Hermione chuckled, "I have it committed to memory already, now I just have to be more interesting that Professor Binns and we shouldn't have a problem. No offense to the Professor, but my friends don't have the best of things to say about History of Magic."

"After the war, I knew it was time to reevaluate the status of the staff. We were lucky to only lose two of the staff, but others realized they wanted quiet and retired." Minerva relaxed in her chair slightly. "We are slowly getting students enrolled, more kids every year. I thought it was about time that we lost the reputation we gained in the years after Voldemort stirred things up the first time around, let alone the second time."

"I look forward to the changes ahead, and teaching myself. It'll be nice change of pace and well, scenery." Hermione just managed to swallow the lump rising in her throat, McGonagall looked at her knowingly.

"I could imagine that a lady in your position would want to." Hermione opened her mouth to respond but McGonagall just held her hand up, "no need to elaborate Hermione, if anyone can relate to heart ache it is I." The two women just looked at each other for a moment the silence resonating between the two of them. Hermione was the first to break the silence by clearing her throat.

"It's been hard, but I know Hogwarts will always welcome me back." Hermione bucked up and shot her a genuine smile, which the other woman returned.

Standing back in her flat, Hermione found Crookshanks terrorizing a small barn owl through the closed window. "Crook, knock it off!" she quickly got to the commotion, moving Crookshanks to the floor and opened the window. Where she noticed a piece of parchment tied firmly around the owl's ankle, she smiled to the bird and gave it a treat from the jar beside her. "Thank you." Hermione unrolled the letter, immediately recognizing Neville's messy scrawl. With her free foot she scooted Crookshanks out of the way, earning a small hiss from him

Hermione,

It was great seeing you again, I am free for tea at your earliest convenience. I am already settled in my chambers at Hogwarts, so send your response with Olya, she'll know where to find me.

Neville

"Olya hey?" Hermione pet the bird softly. Sitting down at her desk she quickly wrote a response, stating he could come over that evening at six if it worked, and where to floo to. Tying the note to Olya's leg she watched the owl flutter away into the evening sun. Leaning against the windowsill Hermione breathed in, after talking with McGonagall she felt more ready than ever. No matter what happened during and after her time at Hogwarts, it was still her second home. She knew that Crookshanks would even be anxious to get back to the mice in the dungeon. Shrugging off her cardigan Hermione crawled onto her chair, grabbing a muggle book off the side table. She had a few hours before Neville arrived, so she thought she might as well finish her book.