Hermione apparated to Hogsmeade, turning up at the Three Broomsticks. She found a horseless carriage waiting for her outside the Three Broomsticks. Her trunk had already been sent up to Hogwarts a head of time. Hermione was holding Crookshanks basket and a small bag with a few personal items. She stepped inside the carriage, finding Draco Malfoy already sitting in there.
"Bout time you showed up," Draco said as Hermione sat down across from him.
"I was running a little late," Hermione replied.
"Typical for a women," Draco said under his breath.
"Excuse me. I must warn you Draco Malfoy, we aren't in school anymore, so I am allowed to do magic over the summer's, and I was the best witch of our year," Hermione said.
Draco just sat still, staring out the window as the carriage began to move.
"Why can't you ever be nice to anyone besides your own flesh and blood?" Hermione asked.
"Ginny isn't my own flesh and blood," Draco replied.
"I thought you were taught to hate Weasley's," Hermione questioned.
"I was, but I was sick of my father ruling my life. He deserved Azkaban, as does my mother, but she hasn't been caught yet. I always thought Weasley's were horrible, but then I got to know Ginny, and I fell in love with her," Draco explained.
"I know Ginny is absolutely in love with you," Hermione said, letting Crookshanks out of his basket to roam around the carriage.
"She is?" Draco asked.
"Yeah she is," Hermione said.
"I was surprised she would even give me the time of day," Draco said.
"Well, you can't always believe what you hear," Hermione replied.
"True," Draco said as the carriage pulled up to Hogwarts.
"Oh it's only been a few months, but I really missed this place. It's going to be so different being a professor," Hermione said, jumping out of the carriage. Crookshanks hopped out next and sprinted across the lawns. Draco came out and, Hermione and he walked up the front steps. Professor McGonagall met them in the entryway.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I hope you had a great summer. Mr. Malfoy if you will go meet Severus in the dungeons, he will show you to your room, and Miss Granger if you'll follow me," McGonagall said heading up the marble staircase. Hermione followed, Crookshanks appearing behind her and racing up the stairs.
"How has life been treating you?" McGonagall asked, leading Hermione past the stone gargoyle.
"Oh, I had a wonderful summer, and I'm extremely excited to be teaching," Hermione replied.
"Yes, well you'll also be the new Head of Gryffindor, if you don't mind?" McGonagall said, stopping in front of a picture of a lady in a lime green dress, her hair done up in a muggle fashion, with curls spilling over her shoulders.
"Good afternoon, password please," The lady said, smiling sweetly at Hermione.
"Hermione this is your room, the password is Transfiguration, but you may change it at your leisure," McGonagall said as the portrait swung open.
Professor McGonagall led Hermione into her quarters. Hermione sat her small bag on the double bed and looked around the room. There was a bathroom opposite the wall the portrait hung on. A lounge chair and a small couch were sitting on a scarlet rug in front of the fireplace. Hermione stared out the open window next to her bed and saw a snowy white owl flying toward her window.
"Do you need anything before I head off to make sure Draco got situated well?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Hermione ignored her and held out her hand for Hedwig to land on. Hedwig hooted in her ear and held out her leg. Hermione took the letter off of Hedwig's leg and Hedwig took flight out the window again.
Dear Hermione,
I thought I'd come see you to see how you're settling in. Turn around.
Love,
Harry
Hermione turned around just as the portrait swung open. A tall man, with messy raven black hair, glasses, and emerald green eyes stepped in.
"Well Mr. Potter, nice to see you again. I'll just leave you two alone," Professor McGonagall said, stepping out of the room.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I came to see you," Harry said, pulling Hermione into a hug and giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
"When do you leave again?" Hermione asked.
"First thing tomorrow morning, I'll be gone for a month, but then I'll be back in town for two months. I'll have Sirius check up on you," Harry replied.
"You don't have to Harry, this school is the safest place ever," Hermione said.
"I'd feel better if Sirius came to check on you every week or so, I don't want anything to happen to my fiancé," Harry said. Hermione smiled into Harry's emerald green eyes.
"You hungry?" Hermione asked, taking Harry's hand and leading him to the portrait.
"Sure, when is supper?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure, but we could probably get something in the Great Hall," Hermione replied, stepping into the corridor.
Hermione began to tell Harry how she was going to begin her lessons once term started. Harry listened, loving the sound of Hermione's voice. He laughed silently on how she could talk about one thing for hours at a time.
"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, I was wondering when you would show up," McGonagall said, as the two entered the Great Hall. "We are going to have a staff meeting shortly."
"All right," Hermione said, and sat down at the only table in the Great Hall.
"Why is there only one table?" Harry asked, taking an empty seat on the right side of Hermione.
"I figured there was no point of putting up the staff tables or house tables until term starts," Professor McGonagall replied.
Draco came in at that point and took the remaining chair on Hermione's left.
"Potter, I didn't know you became a professor as well," Draco said, taking a drink from his goblet.
"No, I'm just here for the afternoon, I'll be gone by ten tonight," Harry replied, taking a bite out of an apple that appeared on his plate.
"Ok, well I'd like to start the meeting, Mr. Potter you may stay here if you like," Professor McGonagall suggested.
"Sure, I'll stay," Harry said, through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
"Now, first off we need to find a new Deputy Head Master or Headmistress. Albus left me three names in May, when he first told me about his plan to retire. The names are as follows, Professor Flitwick, Professor Rebeus Hagrid, and Miss Hermione Granger, or should I say Mrs. Potter?" Professor McGonagall said.
"No, it's still Granger for now," Hermione replied.
"Ah, I saw this while crystal gazing the other night. Granger and Potter would marry soon after graduation," Professor Trelawny said. Harry snorted into his plate. He received strange looks from the majority of the professor's. Harry turned, red and continued to eat his food.
"I don't think Miss Granger should be deputy headmaster because it's her first year teaching, and I don't believe Hagrid is eligible, because he never graduated," Snape said icily, ignoring Trelawny's statement.
"Albus has faith in these people Severus, and I believe he made good choices," McGonagall replied.
"Miss Granger is still too young to be head…wait a minute. Did you say soon to be Mrs. Potter?" Snape asked.
Hermione smiled and Harry grinned. Snape glared at the two and didn't say another word throughout the rest of the meeting. By the time the meeting was over with, Hermione had been declared the new Deputy Headmistress, but if she were unable to be Deputy Headmistress for any reason, Flitwick would be taking the job. Once the meeting was finished, Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and led her out to the lake. They stood there, watching the sun, each enjoying the company of the other. Harry put his arm around Hermione's shoulder, and Hermione rested her head on his shoulder.
"Harry, when are we going to start planning for the wedding?" Hermione asked, looking up into his eyes.
"When I get back, I promise," Harry said, kissing the top of Hermione's head.
Hermione smiled.
"Come on, I'll walk you back to your room," Harry said. Hermione took Harry's hand and they slowly made their way up to her bedroom. They didn't pass anyone on the way up, but then again, they didn't see the cloaked figure standing in the shadows.
"Write me everyday," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around Harry's shoulders.
"Of course," Harry said and kissed Hermione. They pulled apart, but Hermione still had her arms wrapped around his neck.
"I don't want you to go," Hermione said, a few tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'll be back before you know it," Harry said, kissing Hermione again. Hermione let go this time and slowly walked into her room. Harry then left the Hogwarts grounds and apparated home. Hermione sighed, and sat down on her couch watching the flames in the fire.
***
"Hermione, how ya likin' bein' a professor?" Hagrid asked, right before he was to meet the first years at Hogsmeade Station.
"Well I haven't gotten to teach classes yet, but this school has always made me feel at home," Hermione replied.
"I think ya goona like bein' a professor," Hagrid said, putting on his moleskin coat, to help hold the rain out. Hermione smiled.
"Be careful out there, it looks like it could flood," Hermione said, looking out an open window.
"It's done this 'afore," Hagrid said.
"Ok, well don't drown out in the lake, and don't let any of the first years fall out," Hermione said.
"I'll be careful," Hagrid said, and headed out into the torrential rain.
Hermione wandered through the halls, heading to the transfiguration classroom. She was about to turn the corner when she ran into something icy cold. Hermione felt like she had just stepped out into the freezing rain, but she wasn't getting wet. She quickly moved to the side and found herself face to face with Nearly Headless Nick.
"Sorry about that," Hermione said quickly.
"Happens all the time. Congratulations on your new job," Nick replied.
"Thanks, I hope I'll be as good of a teacher as Professor McGonagall was," Hermione said, starting to open the classroom door. Nick followed her inside and watched as she looked around. Hermione stood in front of her desk and stared at the empty chairs.
"I think I can do this," Hermione said, turning to Nick.
"I always knew if any of you Gryffindor's would be a teacher here, it would be you," Nick said.
"Are you going to make the normal appearance to the first years this year?" Hermione asked waving her wand to shut the windows. There was a small puddle on the floor under the window nearest her desk. She then waved her wand and made the torches glow to make the room lighter.
"Of course, what a better way for them to learn about the ghosts that haunt Hogwarts," Nick said.
"Will Myrtle show up?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, she's been crying in her stall all summer. I asked her what was wrong and she said something about missing you guys," Nick replied.
"Well I'll have to go visit her then," Hermione replied, putting the torches out and leaving the empty classroom.
"Have fun with the new recruits. And don't worry if a few of the older students won't listen to you at first. You are still quite young, but I have faith that you will get the job done," Nick said, starting to float up through the ceiling.
"Thanks Nick. Don't scare the first years too much," Hermione said.
"Peeves will be the one doing that," Nick said and disappeared through the ceiling up to the next floor level.
Hermione still had about a half hour to kill before she was to meet the first years. She decided to head to Myrtle's bathroom. There was about an inch of water throughout the hallway. Hermione lifted up her robes and headed into the bathroom. She could hear Myrtle crying in her stall. Hermione opened the stall and found the transparent ghost of a girl crying transparent tears.
"Myrtle?" Hermione said quietly.
"Hermione!" Myrtle said, her tears stopping.
"What's wrong this time?" Hermione asked.
"Oh same ole same ole," Myrtle replied quickly.
"Well if you ever want to visit me, I'm in the same corridor as McGonagall's office," Hermione replied.
"I'll keep that in mind," Myrtle said, a smile forming on her face.
"I better go meet the first years," Hermione said heading for the door. The water was quickly drying up since Myrtle had stopped crying.
"My door is always open," Myrtle called after Hermione.
Hermione walked silently to the staircase where she was to meet the new first years. She waited impatiently, wishing she could go to her room and write a letter to Harry. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the first years came in, dripping water on the floor, and their shoes squeaking.
"Good Evening, I'm Professor Granger, the new Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts, and I will be your Transfiguration teacher. You will be sorted into your houses shortly. You will also receive points for your houses, or get points taken away throughout the school year. The house with the most points wins the house cup. Quidditch will be starting up shortly, but first years are not allowed on their house team. The four houses are Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I will come back and get you when we are ready for you," Hermione explained, leaving the first years on the stairway.
She placed the stool with the sorting hat in front of the Head Table and walked back out. The students had all made it inside and were chatting loudly to their friends. Hermione had the first years follow her into the Great Hall.
"I will be calling you alphabetically," Hermione said, taking out a piece of parchment. "Ackerman, Julie." Hermione then continued to call out names until Zeeman, Andrew became a Slytherin.
"Just a few announcements before the feast begins. First years, the Forbidden forest is strictly forbidden. No magic in the corridors between classes. I would like to introduce you to two new teachers. Professor Granger will teach Transfiguration and Professor Malfoy will teach Defense against the Dark Arts. Now dig in," Professor McGonagall said clapping her hands. The tables filled with food and Hermione took her seat next to McGonagall and Draco. When the meal was over and the Prefects were leading the first years to their dormitories, Hermione stood up and headed for her room.
"Good luck with classes tomorrow," Draco said.
"You too," Hermione said, stifling a yawn.
"Going to write to Harry?" Draco asked. Hermione nodded.
"Are you going to sneak around with Ginny?" Hermione asked with a grin.
"Nope, teachers and students aren't supposed to have affairs," Draco said. Hermione nodded, but looked into Draco's blue eyes. They had an unusual sparkle to them.
"Just don't get caught by McGonagall," Hermione whispered. Draco tried to hold back a smile but failed.
"Goodnight Granger," Draco said.
"Night," Hermione said yawning again. She almost fell asleep heading up to her room, but somehow she managed to stay awake. She decided to save the letter for the next day and fell asleep when her head hit the pillow.
A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. The past few weekends I have either been grounded off of the computer or been busy. Well I hope you like this chapter. I thought it was a little boring and I had bad writer's block on it. But thanks to Demortes who helped me get out of this writer's block. And thanks to Brigade701 who beta read this chapter for me! Thanks everyone! Please review and tell me what you think!
