Chapter 3: Welcome back, Hermione
Hermione stopped her motorbike right in front of the gates leading to Hogwarts. Silver swooped down from the skies to settle on her mistress's shoulder while Crookshanks jumped from his basket down onto the floor and up again on Hermione's lap. The witch smiled slightly and petted both her friends. The moon was glowing softly over the lake, silver light bathing the Hogwarts castle. Beyond the lake, Hermione could make out the tree of the Forbidden Forest. A neighing made her look more carefully at the forest. A unicorn was standing there. When the creature sensed Hermione's eyes, it reared on its hind legs in a salute to the Protector. At the same moment, the Giant Squid broke the surface of the lake to welcome Hermione back as well. And four Thestrals came flying from behind the castle. With happiness in her heart, Hermione called forth her powers, the powers she had to keep hidden for the last five months. Silver took off and Crookshanks jumped off her lap before they both called upon the same powers that had been bestowed upon them. With a cry of pure joy, Hermione drove her bike to a neck-breaking speed toward the castle. The four Thestrals took place by her sides, as an honour guard. Silver and Crookshanks couldn't help but expressed their joys in the form of a shrill song and a very loud roar. Hermione smiled wickedly: those dining in the castle couldn't not to have heard that.
As if to assure the witch of that fact, a blinding light shot from the castle and wrapped her in warmth. When the light diminished enough for her to see, Hermione was wearing the now familiar armour of gold, silver, bronze and black leather that was the mark of the Hogwarts Protectors. She came to a sliding stop in front of the oak doors of Hogwarts. The Thestrals flew on toward the Forest, probably to tell everyone and everything there of her return. Quietly, Hermione exchanged her riding helmet for the one matching her armour. She took a quick look at herself. Totally encased in metals and leather, and with only her eyes, mouth and the tip of her nose showing, no one would recognise her. The sound of wings rushing air around made her turned. On the last step leading to the Entrance Doors were standing a black phoenix with silver claws and a ginger panther with leathery wings, both of them wearing a set of armours matching hers and a pair of eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Nice to see that the both of you are enjoying the situation."
Silver and Crookshanks just gave their mistress their equivalent for a smile and Hermione rolled her eyes at that. She quickly walked up the few steps. Silver took off to take her usual place on her mistress's shoulder while Crookshanks wrapped his long orange tail around Hermione waist. The doors opened by themselves as Hermione came near them. The armours sprang to salute as Hermione entered the castle and the young witch returned it quickly before marching on toward the doors of the Great Hall. Once again, the doors opened by themselves, this time letting a flow of sounds out.
Silently, Hermione stepped in the Great Hall and took the sight in. The dinner had already been served and the students were clearly enjoying themselves. At the High Table, the staff was also eating. Hermione frowned slightly as she spotted Cornelius Fudge there, at Dumbledore's right hand side. She knew that he was the 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor' since last year, but she had kind of hope he wouldn't be there to witness her arrival. Her place there was still empty, just between Professor Snape, who was eating at the far left hand side, and, quite to Hermione's surprise, Professor McGonagall. What was really new was the table just below the one the Professors were sitting at. There, Hermione could see Harry, Ron, Draco, many others from the DA, as well as several Aurors and several members of the Order of the Phoenix.
As Dumbledore always seemed to know everything that was gong on in this castle, he was on his feet by the time Hermione finished her little look around. The room grew silent, not exactly knowing what was going on.
"It seems that our new Professor has finally arrived."
The whole room turned toward the door and Hermione, who was nonchalantly leaning against the door. She let a smile play on her lips and nodded to her future students. Then, it was as if Hell had suddenly broken loose. All the students, including most of the first years, were on their feet, cheering and clapping. From what Hermione could see, the entire Guest table was up and shouting as well, and so was most of the staff table. Silver took off to settle on Crookshanks, who sat down next to the door, wrapped in an Invisibility Charm. Hermione smiled at them before making her way to the High Table. Dumbledore was smiling while Fudge was looking quite amazed. Putting his hands up, Dumbledore asked for silence and for the first time, he had to wait for a few seconds before being obeyed.
"Let us welcome our new Professor, who had accepted to fill in as our new Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts," and Dumbledore had to stop to let the renewed cheers died, " as well as helping with the training of the future Aurors', this time stopping for the cheers coming from the Guest Table, "and with the Duel Club."
This time the cheers were so loud that Dumbledore simply gave up trying to restore silence. Instead, he profited that no one could hear to lean toward Hermione.
"I told you that you would be more than welcome back, Hermione. I just hope you will be able to cope with the fact that you are now maybe even more famous than Harry." And Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the twinkle shining in her old Headmaster's eyes.
Slowly, the silence returned and Dumbledore looked at his students, apart from a few of the Muggle-born first years, everyone seemed to have recognised Hermione's armour. But Dumbledore probably thought that re-telling the tale would be a good idea, Hermione thought to herself as she's listening to his speech.
"Most of you know that, last year, a terrible battle took place in this very school between the Aurors and the Death Eaters. Numerous students fought alongside their Professors to defend the youngest. The battle seemed lost when our Protector came to help us out, reminding us of a very long-forgotten pact of protection existing between the Forest and this school. Our Protector also gave us full access to all the other armours of the Protectors, and these armours saved the lives of many of us. She agreed to come back today to teach of you how to defend yourselves. As you all know, Voldemort is still on the loose. But never again he will catch Hogwarts unprepared."
More cheers erupted into the Great Hall and Hermione couldn't help but join in. However, she cast a very slight look at the old man next to her, noting how he had forgotten to mention her name. Cornelius Fudge seemed to wait for the same thing. The way, Dumbledore was looking at her, it was clear he was waiting for her to do or say something. Hermione looked straight in his eyes.
Remove your helmet.
Silently, Hermione addressed a short thanks to Salazar Slytherin for teaching her Legilimency as she did what she was asked. Dumbledore smiled at her before waving her to her seat. She frowned lightly at that she did it anyway. She saw Fudge started to protest from the corner of her eyes but Dumbledore beat him to speak.
"Of course, most of you still remember Hermione Granger."
'He couldn't possibly have announced that more bluntly.' Hermione thought as she heard the stunned silence fell over the Great Hall. But she kept on walking, her boots the only sound in the Hall. She went to her seat, bowed her head to both her ex-Professors and then sat down.
"Now, I believe it is time for everyone to go ahead and have some rest. Prefects, please, lead everyone to bed."
Slightly reluctantly, the student did as they were asked, and soon enough, only the High Table, the guests and the Head Girl and Boy were left in the Great Hall. With a certain joy and proud, Hermione discovered that two Gryffindors, Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey, were Head Girl and Boy this year.
"Explanations, anyone?" Dumbledore said with a laugh in his voice.
"This could be a very good idea, Dumbledore." Fudge mumbled as he looked once more at Hermione. 'Stared' would be a more appropriate word.
"Let's put it simply," Dumbledore said with a smile, "our dear Hermione loves to play with time. And even if she does look like a fully-grown up woman, I can assure you that this is Hermione Granger."
"Prove it." Snape's voice sounded very suspicious and Hermione could tell that most of the people here were.
"You're an overgrown bat who couldn't even recognise a perfectly brewed batch of Verita Serum if you were forced to drink it."
At last, recognition shot in Snape's eyes, as well as fury.
"Another 50 points from Gryffindor."
"The problem being that I'm not your student anymore." Hermione said with a laugh. "And while we're at it, it was I who set your cloak afire seven years ago and I stole from your shelves in my second year to create a Polyjuice Potion. Harry, I'm the one who helped you to train your gift of being a Parseltongue. Ron, I'm the one who steal a Christmas kiss from you, in our sixth year. And Draco, I was more than surprised to be the one you came to when you decided you didn't want to be a Death Eater."
Silence met that little speech. Silver and Crookshanks chose that moment to let everyone knows of their presences. Letting down the Invisibility Charm, the two magical creatures took off from their end of the Great Hall to land, Silver on Hermione's shoulder and Crookshanks right next to his mistress. Hermione put a hand on the head of each of them and the two lowered their magical powers, returning to their usual raven and cat forms.
"Crookshanks!?"
The ginger cat eagerly jumped from the table to Ginny and the young women caught him just on time. Hermione could see that the others were slowly accepting the fact that she was indeed who she was, whatever she looked like now. It was Malfoy who brought up the subject first.
"You look older."
"Technically, I'm 30 now."
"How comes?" asked Ron.
"Well, I'm naturally one year older than you. Plus, I've spent a year playing with a Time Turner. Plus, ten years in a Time Wrapping spell, so I think it does something like 30 years old."
"How are you?" The question was simple but Hermione could feel the thousand others in her ex-Transfiguration Professor.
"Fine. I mostly got over my parents' deaths. I'm teaching, which was one of my dreams. I'm back in Hogwarts, which still feel like home. And I'm ready to do some serious damage."
That last bit was spoken looking straight at Dumbledore.
"Well, I think we ought to let you have some sleep. Everyone, you will be allowed to ask Hermione every single of you question tomorrow evening, at the meeting of the staff. Good night."
With those words, Dumbledore walked casually to Hermione.
"Allow me to escort you to your rooms."
Hermione knew to recognise an order when she was given one. So she followed her ex-Headmaster without any discussion. They walked out in silence, and all the way to the Room of Requirement was spent like that as well. Once there, Hermione was quite surprised to see a portrait hanging there. A portrait she had seen in another place not that long ago. Smiling down at her were the Four Founders of Hogwarts, Helga and Rowena sitting on a couch while Salazar and Godric were standing behind them.
"Well, I'll be damned."
"We thought it was only natural that the first Protector of Hogwarts since ourselves was to be guarded by ourselves." Godric said in a smug voice.
The other 3 laughed slightly at that and Hermione couldn't help but join in.
"So, what's the password?"
"No need for one," said Salazar with a wink. "The Room of Requirement has been required to be the room to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts during the day and your quarters during the night. We won't let anyone in at night apart from you, Silver and Crookshanks. And during the day, only those having either a lesson or an appointment will be allowed in."
"That way you won't be overwhelmed by those who want to know more about the Protector before their time has come to know." Helga said softly, smiling at the younger witch.
"Now, Hermione," Dumbledore said, "I'd like you to promise me that you won't go after the Death Eaters."
"You're asking for something impossible." Rowena said with a smile.
Hermione smiled at the other witch before turning to Dumbledore.
"As long as they stay well clear of Hogwarts, the Forest and Hogmeade, I won't go for them. That, I can promise."
Dumbledore nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Hermione could tell he knew something was up with her, but she wouldn't tell him more. He kissed her goodnight and went on his way to his own room. Hermione waited for him to be safely around the corner.
"Yes, Albus, I won't leave Hogwarts and I won't attack the Death Eaters. But I can't be held responsible for the actions of the Order of the Night.¡±
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A/N
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Next chapter, more secrets revealed and Hermione¡¯s first days as a teacher¡