Monday the first of September 1995 rolled around far too quickly for Bill Weasley, as he put on his new teaching robes. He knew the older students got here first before the first years arrived, in boats over the black lake. He'd told his girlfriend where his new rooms are located and hoped she'd be here before he had to go downstairs for the feast. They had about an hour before the sorting ceremony began, and he almost sighed with relief as he felt someone enter through his wards.
He stayed in the bathroom looking at his reflection, as she wrapped her arms around him, from behind. He pulled her around and found her lips. It felt just as good as he remembered, and having his girlfriend in his arms felt even better. Unfortunately, they didn't have long, so they reluctantly broke apart, and just held onto each other for a couple of minutes.
"I missed you, and I didn't realise how much until now." He kissed her lips, as she smiled her pretty smile.
"I know, I feel the same and wish we had longer. I made the excuse of needing the bathroom, I will have to go back soon before Ginny gets suspicious." They shared a brief kiss, as Bill held her hand to the door of his classroom.
"What side are my siblings sat on?" He asked his girlfriend, sneaking in another kiss before she had to truly leave. "Can you escape tonight?" He asked her.
"I hope I can, I'll try my best. On the left, as you walk in, we are halfway up." She quickly kissed him before leaving him, and he gave her five minutes before heading on down himself, to join the other staff at the staff table. He didn't want his siblings to know until he is introduced by Dumbledore. It felt strange being back here as an adult and Professor. He had time over the weekend to re-familiarise himself with the castle and grounds of Hogwarts. He had forgotten how big this place is.
Thankfully he managed to make it past without any recognition. Fred and George were too busy, talking to each other, planning god knows what... those two are always up to something. He noticed there were still older students who stood around talking to friends from other houses until McGonagall rose to go greet the first years.
Unfortunately, the only seat remaining is between the new Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor dressed all in pink, with no teaching robes on, and Severus Snape, who never seems to change. He remembers when he was a student people thought Snape was a Vampire.
"Wonderful," he said sarcastically. "A Weasley as a Professor," Snape said, grumpily and the pink lady spoke before he could. "I wondered why Albus wouldn't tell us who the other new Professor is," Snape grumbled.
"So you do have a voice!" She said in a baby-like voice., he saw Snape's eyes harden, from the corner of his eye.
"Obviously..." he spoke back as if she is dirt on his shoe.
"Mr Weasley, I'm Professor Umbridge, the new Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor." He reluctantly shook her hand, and thanked Merlin McGonagall appears in the entryway of the Great hall, he took his hand back quickly.
"She's trouble Weasley, ministry spy. Don't say I didn't warn you," Snape said to quietly in his ear, for anyone else to hear. Bill frowned and nodded, letting Snape know he had heard his warning loud and clear. His eyes swept over the Slytherin table, and the other houses before his eyes drifted to the Gryffindor table wanting to find one witch specifically only to have his view blocked by two troublesome, identical grins, he leaned back and groaned.
"Oh, don't pretend like you aren't happy to see us, brother! Since when did your ass sit at the Professor's table?" George asked him.
"Since I now work here, go back to your seats, the first years are about to arrive." A look of glee crossed his twin brothers' faces, and they almost skipped back to the table. He narrowed his eyes at his twin brothers wondering just what it is that's got them so... whatever.
"What are they up to now?" Snape asked him.
"With Fred and George? You never know. Those two are always up to something, unfortunately. As much as I love them, they do take things too far sometimes."
"I wasn't aware family members could be on the staff team with siblings still at this school?" Professor Umbridge said to them, and he was saved from answering her question when Professor McGonagall came in. Dumbledore has been in deep conversation with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick.
Her eyes finally found his, as the first years arrived shuffling in nervously behind, the Gryffindor head of house. Then they took notice of the sorting ceremony. Ron and Ginny had noticed him now, probably having seen Fred and George going up to speak with him. His eyes flicked back over to find his witch, then back to the first years. He couldn't wait to have her all to himself. He thanked Merlin for giving him a clever witch, thanks to her use of time-turners ageing her, so they can be together.
He had a funny feeling his parents knew but not sure how, due to his father's questions when he told them he's moving back, and the way his mother had spoken to him about how upset his witch has been regarding her prefect badge and not being able to tell her parents. Of course, he already knew that, but his mother didn't.
Dumbledore rose to his feet and a hush fell over the hall as all eyes turned towards the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witch-Craft and Wizardry. He had just got to the ancient Phoenix stand, his hands on the silver of the wings as he observed the students before him.
"A-" an annoying cough next to him said, and Professor Umbridge stood up, smiling a little smug smile as she walked behind him, Snape, Trelawney and Hagrid. His eyes met his girlfriend's and she is clearly confused; shaking her head discreetly she moves back to what was going on before their very eyes.
"Professor Umbridge, please go back to your seat," Dumbledore said, and she just inclined her head, completely ignoring his words and all but pushed him out of the way, without touching him.
"My dear students and fellow professors the ministry of magic is pleased to be a part of this school year and hopes to enlighten some of you on the truths of how a proper education should be. As your new Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor, I plan on teaching you the proper skills to face the true enemies of our kind. The Ministry would also be interested in hearing your opinions of magical education and your experiences so far." She gave a cringy little giggle at the end, bowed and walked back to her seat clearly proud of herself. He turned to look at Snape, but he was too busy glaring at Dumbledore, clearly unable to hide whatever it was that the old Headmaster had pissed him off with.
"As I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted. We have two new staff members on our team, as well as our new first years. So I would like everyone to help make them feel welcomed and allow me to introduce Professor Weasley the new Transfiguration Professor and Professor Umbridge our new Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor, who clearly couldn't wait to introduce herself to you all... I'd also like to announce that Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Draco Malfoy, are this year's head prefects. Your luggage has been moved to your new quarters." A mixture of silence and awkward clapping greeted his words.
"It is important more than ever to try and show house unity, and work together to fight evil... not everything is as it appears to be." With that, he raised his hands and the food appeared before them, thank fuck for that, Bill thought, he is starving. The rest of the feast went by without any other interruptions, and now he just wanted to be alone with his witch.
He had to stop the smile from creeping over his lips, hearing she'd have her own private rooms with hopefully a fireplace in them so they could move back and forth with ease. Hermione locked eyes with him, and he knew she is thinking the same thing. They returned back to eating when the deserts appeared and thoughts of hearing his witch scream his name tonight made him one happy wizard indeed, he couldn't believe how much he missed her, it really shocked him, with how much he loved her.
Of course, he knew he loved her, but didn't realise how much, until he had to leave her for longer than a week. He knew at that moment what he wanted to do, but like with all things... timing is key.
What does everyone think so far? :) Thanks for joining me on this journey with Bill and Hermione.
