*Chapter Two*
When Harry and Hermione caught up with Ron, he was leaning against a wall, waiting. Next to him, was the alcove holding the statue that led up to Dumbledore's office.
"Didn't want to go up with Snape." He explained with a shrug at their curious looks. He scowled at their still joined hands and pushed away from the wall with a jerk. "Let's get on with this then." He stepped inside the alcove and looked at them expectantly. "Well? I hope you have the password."
"Chocolate frogs." Harry said. The sudden start of the staircase had Ron stumble a bit. When he caught himself, he shot a glare at Harry.
"You did that on purpose." He accused as he disappeared. Hermione arched a brow at Harry who grinned.
"He's right. I did." He then stepped on the now still stair case and started to climb. Hermione rolled her eyes then followed them up. Once they were all assembled at the top, the statue started to spiral back down to hide the entrance once more. Harry went into the office first, followed by Hermione, then Ron. The sight that greeted them was expected. Snape was standing in front of Dumbledore's desk, his face blotchy with anger.
"I would be greatly remiss in my duties, Headmaster, if I did not strenuously voice my objections."
"Severus, we have been over this before." Dumbledore replied, his voice weary. He noticed them by the door and waved them inside.
"But Professor! Putting the fate of this school in the hands of a bounty hunter who's no better than a vigilante. An Auror that's a drunkard and a clerical worker that has spent the last five years dusting off pottery is practically a guarantee that this school will close." Snape insisted, his skin darkening to almost purple from not breathing while he raged. Ron was tempted to snap the professor's neck for putting down Hermione, but he figured now wasn't the best time. Besides, he was still reeling from the word vigilante. He knew that Snape wasn't talking about him with that. No, he was the drunkard in the Potion's teachers mind (coincidentally, another thing to break him in two for). So, that just left Harry. To say he was even more determined to find out what happened with Harry would be an understatement.
"Need I remind you, Severus, that when they were in school, they managed to find their way out of some very deadly situations. If I remember correctly, they even managed to disarm you rather forcefully." Snape practically bristled at that. "There is also the fact that that vigilante and drunkard have been highly effective in decreasing the Deatheaters numbers . To my knowledge, there are only a handful left. That can be accredited almost solely to these men. And that clerical worker has been head of Security at the Museum of Rare and Dangerous Artifacts for the last four years of her employ. I don't think she would agree with you that such things as Aladdin's Lamp are simply pottery."
Hermione couldn't help the smile that spread across her face or the pink blush of pride that stained her cheeks. It was true, she had designed and implemented the security precautions needed to keep the Lamp in the museum. It was the most sought after and oft stolen artifact in the collection. Usually, the only way of retrieving it was to wait for the thief to die. Which could happen slow or quick, depending on how quickly they went through their wishes. The Djin inside extracted a heavy price for his services. Blood. Most of the perpetrators thought that they could stop at two wishes. However, only one had ever been able to resist the temptation of the third. And that was why Aladdin's name was still associated with the lamp.
Hermione blushed further at the impressed looks Ron and Harry gave her.
"But Headmaster. . ." Snape's voice had taken on the quality of a petulant child. The sound finally snapped Dumbledore's patience.
"That's enough Professor. I have complete faith in them, as do a number of the staff. You will just have to trust my judgement." The Headmaster kept his eyes trained on Snape, almost daring him to continue. Snape, however, seemed to know it was time to stop. He drew himself up and pursed his lips angrily, but held his tongue. "Now, if you would excuse us."
"Of course." Snape bit out before turning to leave. The Potions Professor gave each one of them a withering look as he stormed out.
"Please. Sit." Dumbledore waved his hand and produced three chairs in front of the desk. He waited until they were seated before speaking again. "I must first say how wonderful it is to see you all again. Even under such unpleasant circumstances. I trust you are all well?"
"Oh, yes sir."
"Of course."
"Well enough, I suppose."
The three answered simultaneously causing the old man to smile.
"Excellent. Now, Harry has informed both of you of the situation here, correct?" He waited for affirmation, then continued. "Very well. Then, I shall assign you your posts and allow you to go get settled. I will answer any questions you may have. The staff has been instructed to cooperate fully. The ghosts as well, but I wouldn't expect too much help from Peeves." They all had a chuckle at that. "Mr. Weasley. You will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Ron's eyes widened comically and he had to bite his cheek in order not to laugh. Since his own days in Hogwarts-and he didn't know how long before that-no Dark Arts teacher had lasted longer than a year. Seemed he showed up just in time.
"Ms. Granger, I believe you already know that you are the Muggle Studies Professor."
"Yes, sir." She answered with a quick nod of her head. Ron found himself caught by the way her curls danced around her shoulders. A familiar tightening occurred just south of his belt, making his jeans suddenly to tight. He turned away from her quickly and shifted in his chair to try to hide his predicament.
"Mr. Potter will take over for Madame Hooch as Flight Professor and Quidditch coach. She is taking this year off to travel." He explained.
"Sir, I was wondering," Hermione started, sitting forward a bit in her chair. Harry and Ron recognized the look on her face all too well. She was in full research mode. Ron half expected her to pull a quill and parchment out of her skimpy dress so she could take notes. As he pondered just where she might hide those things, his eyes wandered to the delicious swell of her breasts peeking out from the top of her bodice. He barely managed to suppress a groan.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Just supposing that the culprit is a student, there is the possibility that he or she graduated last term." Dumbledore smiled sadly at her. She was surprised to see that the spark that was always present in his eyes seemed to have dimmed.
"We have it on good authority that the culprit will return this term."
"How sir?"
"By no investigative work of our own, I'm afraid. The day after the green houses were vandalized, I received this." As he spoke, the Headmaster pulled open a drawer and extracted half a sheet of parchment. He laid it on the end of his desk for them to read.
iProfessor
Well, another year gone and I like to think that I made it a little more interesting. I definitely kept you and the other professor's on your toes, didn't I? But, not to worry. I WILL be back and I can promise even more fun next term. Have a happy and restful holiday. You're going to need it.
Your's truly
Me./i
Ron snorted in disbelief and sat back.
"What kind of git WARNS someone that they are going to cause trouble? The Headmaster no less." He scoffed in disgust.
"A confident one." Harry replied.
"Professor, this was written before term ended?" Hermione asked, studying the letter.
"Yes."
"But there are no typewriters or computers here. Correct?"
"You know all to well that Muggle technology will not work in these halls, Ms. Granger."
"What are you getting at, Mione?" Ron asked her. She glanced over at him briefly, a frown on her face.
"Didn't you notice? It's not handwritten. It's type set."
Well, of course he'd noticed. He just hadn't thought it was important. It wouldn't be the first time she had proven him wrong.
"Wouldn't the author have wanted to disguise his handwriting to avoid recognition? It's probably just a spell." Harry offered.
"I realize that." Her words came out a little harsher then she had intended. She gave him an apologetic smile before going on. "It's just odd."
"I'm assuming you've done a thorough search of the school and grounds as well as the students belongings." Ron asked.
"Of course. Other than confiscating half of your brothers' store and some inappropriate reading material from some of the fifth year boys, we found nothing out of the ordinary." Dumbledore's mouth quirked into a smile, which Ron returned. Fred and George had bought the joke shop in Hogsmeade when the couple that owned it wanted to retire. "You must understand, that part of Severus' ire is due to the fact that we have found nothing. We have pulled the last spell out of each wand that has been in the school and are no closer to finding this person."
A soft knock on the door interrupted the Headmaster.
"Yes?"
When the door opened, Harry was sure that his heart stopped. He had been at Hogwarts for three days and had done an excellent job at avoiding her. Even when he had first met with Dumbledore, he'd had the good luck not to see her. Now, it was apparent, his good luck had run out.
There, standing in the door, holding a stack of parchment, was Ginny. She looked every inch a woman and twice as beautiful as the last time he saw her. She hadn't noticed them yet, since her view was blocked by the large bookcase behind them. It gave Harry plenty of time to look. He could feel the death curse that Ron was staring into the back of his head, but he didn't care. Ron only told him to stay away from Ginny. He didn't say he couldn't look.
"Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt. But I need you to sign these acquisition forms so I can owl them out today."
"Of course, Ginny. Come in."
Harry swallowed hard and sat back in his chair, wishing desperately for his invisibility cloak. He thanked Merlin when Ron stood up to greet his sister, his large frame effectively blocking Harry from view.
"Ron! What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? You could have had lunch with Fred, George and I." She shot all this off rapidly, barely pausing to breathe as Ron scooped her up in a huge bear hug. Hermione frowned again at hearing Ginny say that she didn't know her brother was supposed to be there.
"I've already eaten anyway. And I have taken a position here, so there's plenty more opportunity." He replied, positioning himself directly between Harry and Ginny when he let her go. Harry didn't know whether to curse or cheer at having his view obstructed. No offense to Ron, but he really didn't want an up close and personal view of his arse.
"Have you? That's wonderful. What will you be teaching?"
"Dark Arts."
"Oh." Two scarlet brows shot up in surprise as her mind scrambled for something encouraging to say. Luckily, she was saved when Hermione stood, drawing her attention. "Hermione! I heard you were starting here. This is fabulous." She cried, wrapping Hermione in an enthusiastic hug, the papers in her hand rustling wildly with the action. Her heart was racing with the possibility that her brother and the woman that she had always thought of a sister would finally find their way back to each other. She'd given Ron more than his fair share of scolding for letting her go in the first place. When he was sober, that is. He didn't listen well when he was drunk. Then again, he didn't listen well when he was sober either, so maybe she was just waging a losing battle.
Hermione let out a surprised giggle at being crushed so sufficiently by such a tiny woman. She was sure that her bones were going to crack under the pressure of the girl's arms. Not thinking it a good thing to have to visit Madame Pomfrey on her first day back, Hermione subtly pulled away.
"It's good to see you, too, Ginny."
"Let's get together for dinner tonight? I want to hear all about what you've been up too." Ginny proposed, beaming. Hermione grinned back, finding the other woman's enthusiasm infectious.
"Yes, let's." She agreed, earning herself another teeth jarring hug.
"Ginny? You have something for me to sign?"
"Oh, Professor. Sorry." Ginny blushed when she realized the scene she was making in the middle of the Headmaster's meeting. She let go of Hermione and whirled on the desk so quickly, that the older woman had to clutch the chair to keep herself upright.
Ginny placed the parchment in the desk and bounced lightly on her toes while Dumbledore went over them. Harry managed to catch glimpses of her through the arm Ron had bent at his side. He decided, that frayed, denim shorts and tank tops should be illegal. At least when Ginny Weasley was wearing them. The red silk of her hair cascaded down her back to her waist, the ends curling a bit to give it bounce. The skin of her arms was pale and smooth, with a light smattering of freckles across it. He knew, thanks to one special night at the Burrow, just where else she had freckles.
Suddenly feeling very hot, Harry decided it would be best to look away. Unfortunately, his eyes landed on Ron, who had turned to glare at him for ogling his sister. The murderous glint in the blue gaze staring at down at him, worked better than any cold shower Harry had ever taken in his life.
"ANOTHER copy of 'The Do's and Don'ts of Poisonous Plants'?" Dumbledore asked incredulously. Ginny's responding laugh had Harry gripping the arms of his chair until his knuckles turned white.
"Yes, sir. I think one of the First years took it to find a way to poison Snape." She said in a conspiratorial tone. She didn't mention, of course, that she had actually seen one of them doing just that. She couldn't be entirely sure that it was for Snape. But she knew that's who she would have knicked it for.
"Well, I'm sure they will be sad to learn that the most poisonous concoction in that book will only give the Professor an extreme case of gas." Dumbledore answered with a smile. "There you are, Ginny." He said, putting his signature on the last page.
"Thank you. I'll get out of your way now. Bye Ron. I'll see you later, Hermione." Ginny turned to leave, but paused when her eyes seemed to catch a glimpse of the person seated behind her brother. Harry heard Ron curse softly in the second before he saw her peer around to stare directly at him. The heart that had gone silent when she walked in sprang to life in a painful beat against his chest. Time slowed as they stared at each other, surprise causing her mouth to drop open and her eyes to widen. Harry recovered first, though he had no idea how.
"Hello, Ginny." He managed around the lump in his throat. The sound of his voice seemed to jar her back to the present. Her mouth closed with a clack of her teeth and she straightened. Then, in a re-enactment of the summer before her first year, she made a small 'eep' sound and bolted from the room. Harry supposed it would have been funny under any other circumstances. However, he didn't feel much like laughing at the moment.
"Well, I'm sure that Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger are tired. There's not much else to tell, so I think we can draw this meeting to a close. I took the liberty of leaving the lesson plans from your predecessors in your rooms. They are just a guide, mind you. You may design your curriculum however you wish. As none of you have taught before, I thought that they may be useful." That statement had Ron forgetting to glare at Harry as it sunk in that not only would he be posing as a teacher, he would be expected to actively TEACH. Dumbledore nearly laughed at the panicked look that glazed the red head's eyes. "There's two weeks until the start of term. I suggest you use it wisely. Good day."
"Good day, Professor." They responded, leaving the Headmasters office.
Ron waited until they were back in Hogwarts before rounding on Harry.
"I told you to stay away from her." He snarled, pulling himself up to his full height. Harry could admit that a six foot four, two hundred plus pound, pissed off Ron was quite intimidating. But the jolt of seeing Ginny and the tension he'd been dealing with from Ron had his own temper ready to snap.
"Fuck you, Ron. She came in the room where I was. I didn't go looking for her."
"HARRY!" Hermione gasped, mortified by his language.
"What did you say?" Ron's voice had dropped dangerously low and he took a step toward Harry. Harry, in turn, took a step closer to Ron. Hermione watched, fear that it was about to become extremely violent coursing through her. As if on cue, two sets of hands curled into fists as Harry didn't back down.
"Fuck. You." Harry said each word slowly, to make sure that Ron understood each syllable.
"Bastard." Ron hissed, cocking a fist back.
i"Petrificus Totalus!"/i Hermione's voice rang loud and clear through the corridor. Harry's muscles had coiled in preparation for Ron's blow, only to retract when he saw that bigger man go ram rod straight, then slowly tip backwards to crash onto the floor. He winced at the sound of Ron's head hitting the concrete before turning to look at Hermione. She stood there, pale as a ghost, wand clutched tightly in her hand. The same wand that was currently pointed at him.
"Hermione?"
"Do I have to body bind you as well?" Anger seemed to be seeping past her fear now. Her face was flushed with it, her eyes flashing.
"N-no." He stuttered despite himself. Right then, Hermione Granger was scarier then ten Deatheaters.
"Good. Now run along and cool off." Harry didn't need to be told twice. He turned on his heel and started down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls. Once he was out of sight, she looked over at Ron to find, that while petrified, he had no problem conveying his anger to her. His eyes were hot with it.
With a sigh, she released him. He was up and shouting in seconds.
"BLOODY HELL WOMAN! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" His voice boomed loudly around them, making her flinch. She felt a twinge of guilt when she saw him rubbing the back of his head.
"You were going to hit Harry." She reminded him, bending down to slide the wand back in the band around her thigh. Ron was struck quite dumb by the expanse of creamy thigh and the straight shot down the front of her dress. But once the hem was dropped and she was straightened again, he was staring at her as if she had lost her mind.
"No shit. He deserved it."
"Language!" She snapped. "And, NO, he didn't. They work in the same school, Ron. You can't expect them not to run into each other." She was exasperated beyond measure now. Her hands flew in front of her as she talked, emphasizing her point. Ron went very still at that and his eyes turned so cold she shivered.
"You're wrong about that, Mione." He said, his voice firm and even. He then stalked off in the opposite direction Harry went, leaving her alone. Hermione closed her eyes to try to rein in her erratic emotions. Once she felt calmer-although, not better-she went into yet a different direction than the men to get to her own room. As she walked, she ignored the nasty voice in her head that was telling her it was too late. The bridges were beyond repair.
~*TBC*~
a/n-okay, I know I changed the Aladdin thing a bit. But I like it better my way. :) Oh, and thanks SO much for the reviews. You guys are wonderful. Lisa
