Disclaimer: I own nothing. I only have JK Rowling's wonderful characters out on loan and am currently bending them to my will. I promise to return them when I'm done at which time they'll go back on display.
CHAPTER 1 – The Outbreak of Hostilities
Some things would never change. The Great Hall was a wonderment. Today, the ceiling was dark and threatening. An occasional spoke of lightening streaked across the top and a crack of thunder resounded, much to the discomfort of more than a few jumpy students. She thought about her first view of the Great Hall all those years ago when she was a scared eleven year old girl, and could almost hear herself saying "Its enchanted to look like the night sky. I read it in Hogwarts a History." Her eyes settled on the head table where the Headmaster was enjoying his breakfast. To his right was Minerva McGonagall, her much loved mentor, and to his left the sullen master of potions himself, Severus Snape.
"Yes Hermione, some things never change, still dark and brooding. But now I have nothing to be afraid of". She smiled at that thought and whispered "Oh but be afraid, Miss Granger. Be very afraid."
"Headmaster, thank you for asking me back. I'm thrilled to be teaching at my ol' alma mater." Hermione gave him a shy smile.
"Professor Granger, welcome. You are a delight that compares to none other. What a perfect match for my faculty. Don't you think so Severus?" his blue eyes twinkled with warmth and merriment.
"If you say so, Albus. Professor Granger, welcome to the staff." It can't be said that it was a warm welcome. Or that he seemed interested in acknowledging her in the least bit. In fact, his tone was rather bored and his eyes continued to gaze out at the students.
"He could at least look me in the eyes while he belittles me". With satire awash in every word, she replied "What a compliment coming from you Professor Snape, I feel most welcome." He briefly glanced up at her with a newfound respect.
Albus stifled a laugh with one hand. He appeared surprised and almost pleased. "It seems that you've become quite articulate, my dear. A most pleasant surprise." Ah, yes, this was going to be an interesting semester.
"Come sit down, Hermione. Tell me, have you settled into your room yet? I knew you'd be right at home in Gryffindor tower. Just let Minerva know if there's something you need."
"Thank you headmaster. Everything is perfect. Just the way I always imagined it would be. I just need to unpack and do a little decorating here and there." she helped herself to a plate of eggs and a bit of toast. "Professor Snape, could you please pass the coffee pot?….Professor?… Professor?…Hello, earth to Professor Snape!" she snapped her fingers at him and glared. "I can see that the five years since I've left here have done nothing for your manners, Professor. Scanning the room for hapless victims, are we?"
"I wouldn't call her articulate, Albus, I'd call her a shrew." He excused himself and stalked out of the hall.
Minerva grinned and smothered a laugh. "My dear, it is wonderful to have you back. It will be a relief to have an extra hand with the students in Gryffindor Tower. I'm afraid this lot is trouble waiting to happen."
"Worse then we were?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Even worse then Messrs. Fred and George Weasley."
Hermione gasped in mock horror then shot her a smile.
Gulping down the last of her coffee, she turned to leave. "If you all will excuse me, my room awaits me. I've got some heavy transfiguring to do."
Minerva beamed at her with pride.
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"Where do I start?" she asked herself out loud. She stood in the middle of her bedroom with her wand poised and ready. Aiming at a dust ball in the corner she transformed it into a gold plant stand with a healthy Aloe plant sitting in the middle. (swish) A plain curtain hanging in the window changed into a dusty rose swag and jabot. Several more waves of the wand and Hermione ended up with a wall of cherry wood book shelves, a matching cherry wood night stand and dresser, and a grandfather clock tucked in the corner.
"OK" she said out loud to the empty room "looks good. Last step – unpack my books."
When the clock chimed 9:00pm Hermione looked up in bewilderment. When did it get to be so late? One glance at the now-filled bookshelves told her exactly how the time had passed. A rumble in her stomach made her realize that she had missed dinner. She put down her books and decided on a quick trip to the kitchen to see if she could bribe one of the house elves into whipping her up a snack.
She slipped out the portal past the fat lady and made her way down the darkened corridors. It was quiet, dim, and so enjoyable. This was relaxing to her. Not as it had been when they were students. That had always made her tense. Then she had known she was breaking rules. But now, as a member of the faculty, the solitary halls helped to reduce her tension.
In the end, she almost walked past the kitchen, stumbling at the last minute as she swiftly tried to stop herself. "Let's see, how do you gain entry?" her brain scrambled furiously until finally she remembered that it had something to do with the portrait of the fruit bowl that hung on the door. "You have to tickle a piece of fruit but which piece?" She thought for a moment then said "I've got it! It's the green pear and you tickle it until…" her fingers worked as she mumbled and the door finally swung open.
She had barely stepped into the kitchen before she heard a squeal. "Miss Hermione, is it you? Is it really you?"
Hermione jumped a foot in the air and silenced a shriek. She whirled around, her heart beating wildly from the shock. "Oh, Perry, how are you?" she asked observing the house elf, who was wrapped in an embroidered pillowcase and wearing mittens.
"Perry is fine Miss. Perry is happy to see you back at Hogwarts."
"Listen Perry, I got wrapped up in my unpacking and missed dinner. Any way you could bend the rules a little and get me a snack?"
Perry was off in a flash and came back with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple, and a cup of coffee.
"Perry, you're a doll. Thanks so much!" She bent down and placed a kiss on Perry's cheek before leaving.
Hermione threw a backwards glance as she passed the library. She turned around and stood in front of the door pondering whether to go in or not. "Damn it,what am I afraid of? I'm not a student any more. I'll just check out the restricted section – for a bit of light reading". She grinned at the thought of Harry and Ron's disgusted faces when she had said that to them all those years ago.
Madam Pince had left an hour ago. The lights were low and there was a small fire burning in the fireplace. She looked around the desserted room and found her eyes focusing on a leather chair by the fire with a book laying on the seat. She padded over to pick up the book, and curled up in the chair. "Hmmmm, A History of Alchemy Through the Ages. Excellent book".
She munched silently on her sandwich and flipped through the pages.
"You're sitting in my chair and you're reading my book."
Hermione did shriek this time. She looked up rapidly and saw Professor Snape standing by the fire staring at her. After a moment of recovery, she smiled haughtily, stood up, and quickly circled the chair, saying "I don't see a name tag on this chair, Professor. Perhaps you have it confused with that one" pointing to a small stool a few feet away.
"So, the shrew is flippant. If you were wondering why the chair was so warm when you sat down Professor Granger, it's because I had gotten up from it moments ago to check a fact in another book. Furthermore, I suggest you open the front of the book you're holding and you'll see a name tag on it. The book belongs to me."
She glanced briefly down at the book clutched in her hand. A mischeivious grin spread across her face and she whispered "Wingardium Leviosa" and pointed the wand from the book to Snape.
Slam, the book flew quickly across the room and crashed into Snape's head before he had a chance to duck.
"You're right, Professor, it is your book. There you go." Hermione smiled wickedly. She really did enjoy that.
He was mildly astonished. She had actually had the audacity to throw a book at him. But what to do, he could no longer take house points or give her detention. An evil thought rushed into his mind. Ah yes, a dose of her own medicine. His lips curled into a wicked grin as he pointed his wand at the coffee table and said "Accio apple".
Thwack, the apple impacted the back of Hermione's head before flying straight into Snape's outstretched hand. Hermione gave a startled "Ouch"
"Oh, I'm sorry Professor Granger. I'm a bit hungry and you didn't appear to be eating this. I do so apologize for that nasty accident with the back of your head"
So he wanted to play the game. She rubbed her throbbing head and picked bits of apple out of her hair. With her best smile she raised her wand and murmured "Why no problem at all. Accio throw rug" which leaped into the air ejecting the Potion teacher's legs off in the process. He landed on the floor with a thud and sat in a stunned heap.
Hermione said only one word - "Oops" and gave a smile that reeked of sarcasm.
He blew a resigned sigh and held up his outstretched hands in an admission of defeat. "I'm not into your childish game Professor Granger. I give up." He rose to his feet and fell back to the ground grimacing in pain. "I hope you're happy, it appears that you've managed to break my ankle." he hissed, "Thank you so very much. Now could you manage to help me to the infirmary?"
Hermione's triumphant smile turned to worry and she jumped up and raced over to him. As her foot hit the throw rug Snape pointed his wand and murmured "Accio throw rug". Hermione flipped into the air, slid forward and landed at his feet in a graceless heap with an astonished grimace. He smirked, stood up and snarled "You're a hopeless Gryffindor. Snape – 1, Granger - 0" then turned quickly on his heel and left a flummoxed Hermione gaping after him.
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She lay in bed tossing and turning well into the night. Every time she thought about him, embarrassment washed over her. "He bested me. He outdid me at my own game. I have to get even, but how? Think, Hermione, what do I do?" Slowly, insight dawned on her face and she began to make her combat plans.
Down in the dungeons Snape was feeling rather cocky. He was too pumped up to sleep. His thoughts kept falling on the shrew and her flabbergasted look when he pulled a fast one on her. Yes it really was Snape – 1, Granger - zip. But if he had any idea what Hermione was about to pull he would have been busy preparing for battle rather than gloating over his victory.