No. That couldn't be. Hermione didn't even try to hide the look of surprise on her face. Draco didn't either. And yet, she refused to believe her luck. First, her boyfriend left her and then, when she finally thought she found a decent guy, he turned out to be none other than one of the men she hated the most.

She hated herself for having an actual engaging conversation with him, for thinking about what could be only to find out it was him.

She blinked one last time, just to make sure her eyes weren't fooling her. Much to her demise, they weren't. So she simply turned her back on him and walked away. Draco didn't call for her, he didn't try to stop her and he most certainly didn't follow her and, for that, she was grateful. When she thought she'd put a decent distance between the two of them, she stopped and sighed, running a hand through her hair.

Hermione bit her lip and accepted another glass of champagne from a waiter passing by, but, before she could even have a sip, professor McGonagall - who seemed to appear out of nowhere - touched her softly.

"Hermione, dear, if you'd care to come with me for a second…" Her voice trailed off.

"Of course." Hermione faked a smile and followed her former teacher out of the ballroom. Her heart clenched as she looked around and found that Ron was nowhere to be seen.

They entered a room she recognized to be Dumbledore's old office. The woman had barely changed anything, most of the belongings of the old director were still there. They both sat at the table across from each other.

She couldn't shake off the weird feeling that she was there because she had done something wrong, she felt like a child again. As a matter of fact, every time she was called to that place Hermione felt like she would be suspended or expelled.

"So, Miss Granger, I simply cannot express with words the joy I feel when I meet one of my former students and I realise just how much they have grown, not only physically, but as people as well. And you, as I have always expected, have not failed to impress me." The old woman had a smile plastered on her face, "Congratulations on the amazing job you did with the party. The invitations, the concealing spell, everything was executed to perfection, as was expected of you. Even more than what was expected of you, I must say."

"Thank you very much, Professor." Hermione smiled proud of her work. The small incident with Draco pushed to the back of her head.

"On that note," McGonagall continued, "Since you are such an amazing Auror working for the ministry and are so good with spells, I'd like to offer you a job at Hogwarts. I want you to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Hermione didn't know what to say. She was so honored with the request. It seemed her night had taken a turn to the best. Maybe taking a small leave from the ministry and her job as an auror would do her good, a change of scenery would be nice.

"Yes, I'd be honored to accept." Hermione said, trying to contain her excitement, but she failed. She smiled sweetly at the director.

"I'm so glad you accepted, Miss Granger, you were one of our best students and, undoubtedly one of the best aurors the Ministry has ever seen."

"Thank you so much for the opportunity director McGonagall." Hermione stood after the woman. "When should I start working here? I'll have to ask the Minister for a small leave of absence, maybe reduce my hours."

"Well, I'll mail you the instructions, but you still have until July or August to prepare everything." McGonagal said.

"In that case, I'll have plenty of time," Hermione stood after McGonagall, "Thank you so much for the offer. I can't tell you just how happy you made me."

"No, dear, we thank you." The old woman smiled as she walked Hermione to the door.

They walked together in a comfortable silence before McGonagall excused herself she had other things to do. As soon as she found herself alone, Hermione smiled to herself, she couldn't believe that. She had always dreamt of working at Hogwarts, of being a respected teacher and to have all her hard academic work recognised. Now, she could not only be an auror, but also a teacher, someone who the students would look up to just as she once did.

She hurried back to the ballroom, eager to enjoy the rest of the night.

~X~

No way. There was no way that he thought, even if for a second, that Hermione Granger was an interesting person. Okay, maybe he'd always thought she was interesting, smart, beautiful… No. He had to stop those thoughts. She may be all those things, but she surely wasn't a potential suitor for him.

He scoffed and began to walk around the party. He actually got to see some of his old classmates and engaged in obnoxious and frivolous topics of conversations he had dreaded from the start.

It seemed like those people neve changed, talking of wealth and tradition, things that were once so important to him. But now he'd changed, everything changed and every passing second reminded him of that.

Tired of playing pretend feigning happiness, Draco decided on leaving. He excused himself from the group and began walking towards the exit, now aware of everyone's eyes on him, judging him as he tried to escape.

His heart raced, the room seemed to be closing in around him. Anxiety taking a hold of his emotions and thoughts. But, although his head felt dizzy and his lungs tight, he managed to exit the room and reached the open area of the school in no time.

The cool air of the night filled his lungs and, alone, he felt like he could now breathe properly. He closed his eyes and basked in the moonlight. It had been so long...

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear her steps approaching him. Draco was only made aware of her presence when she spoke.

"Mr. Malfoy!" It was Professor McGonagall.

"Professor. Uh, I mean, Director." He turned around, a small smile, kind smile on his lips."How are you doing? It's been so long."

He noticed the Director was surprised with the look on his face.

"I'm rather well, Mr. Malfoy, thank you for your concern," the woman replied, "If you would, please accompany me for a second."

It wasn't a question.

"Of course." He stood and followed Director McGonagall to where Dumbledore's old office was. She motioned for him to sit on the chair before the office desk before sitting down herself.

Her eyes scanned him, just as they did when he was younger. He learned she was searching for something, maybe she wanted to see if there was any malice in his eyes, some remainings of the man he used to be.

"So," she started and cleared her throat, "Mr. Malfoy, I was surprised to find you here this evening. We have tried to contact you several times. Have you received our mail?"

Truth was, Draco had not opened his mail in months, all of the letters sitting on a pile in his office.

"I… Uh… I haven't had the chance to read my mail for a while now. I've been rather busy." he replied.

He could see by the look in her eyes that she knew that was a lie.

"Well, in that case, I am more than happy to break the news to you." the Director spoke, "We are implementing a new program in Hogwarts, renewing the faculty of the school. As such, we are inviting model students to teach here. Although while you studied here you made your fair share of mistakes you were also a brilliant and engaged student. We understand that times have changed and so have you."

He listened with attention and some suspicion, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Therefore, we would like to offer you a position as a Teacher in Hogwarts."

Draco was taken aback by the request. It was the last thing he expected. There must be a catch in her words, he thought. Why would she invite him of all people?

"Excuse me?" He muttered to himself.

"Yes, Mr. Draco?"

He just stared. That had to be a joke. They were all playing a joke on him. He looked around the room, expecting Potter and his friends to come out of their hiding places and laugh in his face as soon as he said yes. But the room was silent, there was no one there.

Apparently the Director picked up on his thought process because she added, "Though our pasts are an important part of us, though it may shape us and mold our view of the world, it's not definitive. We take our experiences and use them to make a path for ourselves. In life, we can choose to take the easy path or commit, and change, take the road less traveled, but this takes strength."

Draco just stared, not sure what to expect.

"I have kept an eye on you, Draco Malfoy and I see that you have changed. I can see that you chose to carve out a new you, a better version of yourself. Although Professor Sybyla may argue otherwise, I choose to believe that our fates are not set in stone and we have the liberty to grow and improve." There was a kind smile on the Director's lips, there was kindness in her eyes and though he searched for it intently, Draco couldn't find an ounce of pity in her words, "I have decided to offer you this opportunity, whether you will accept it or not it's up to you."

There was another moment of silence in the room, the only sound was the crackling of the fire.

His thoughts raced and so did his heart. That was his chance to leave that mansion, to set his life straight, a new beginning.

"Okay." Draco finally said. "I'll accept the offer."

His tone was strong and determined. Ever since the battle opportunities didn't come to him very often, especially when it came to second chances, so he decided to hold on to it. If it didn't work out he could always quit later. Right?

"When does the semester start?" He asked. "What class will I be teaching?"

"The new school year starts in August. However, your presence is expected in the school starting in June, so we can prepare everything. Especially considering there is a small training we offer to our teachers." McGonagall explained. "I will mail the instructions with details to your house immediately."

"Very well, Professor- I mean, Director Mcgonagall."

"I'm very glad you decided to join us, Draco, I feel you will be a great addition to the school."

"Thank you, Director, for the kind offer."

The old woman stood and he followed her outside. Maybe that was it, the sign he was waiting for, the new beginning for his life.

He walked away but could feel her eyes on his back.

"Oh, and Mr. Malfoy," she said from a distance, "make sure to open your mail this time."

He felt himself blush and suppressed a sudden urge to laugh.