Chapter 2 : Back to school
A/N : Finally, another chapter update. Snappish79, this is for you.
'Thinking'
"Talking"
On the morning of September 1st, Hermione woke up bright an early, as the sun rose. Her bedroom window was open, letting the cool morning breeze play with her gauzy white curtains. She rolled over onto her side and stared at the picture on her bedside table. It was a picture of her, Ron and Harry, taken at the reception after George's wedding. Hermione was standing between Ron and Harry, their arms around her waist. It had always been the three of them all through out school. Now, they were going back to Hogwarts, just like old times. The only difference was that they were going back as teachers instead of students. Taking one last look at the photo, Hermione rolled out of bed and went straight o the bathroom for a shower.
After a nice long shower and a hearty breakfast, Hermione made a last minute check of all the items that she was bringing to Hogwarts.
'Packed trunk, check. Wand, check. Dagger, che-'
She flew into a panic when she realised that she couldn't find her dagger. She was about to tear her apartment apart to look for it when she remembered that she had placed it under her pillow the night before. Rushing back into the bedroom and tossing aside her pillow, Hermione sighed with relief when the dagger was where she had left it. Hiking her skirt up, she strapped the dagger and it's sheath to her right thigh. Since she had gotten it at Diagon Alley two weeks ago, Hermione had been unable to be with out it for long periods of time so she had taken to strapping it to her person during the day and placing it under her pillow when she slept at night. She didn't know why having the dagger nearby made her feel calm and safe. She decided to some research on the dagger as soon as she could once she was back in Hogwarts.
After securing th dagger to her thigh, Hermione went back to the kitchen to finish her coffee while waiting for Harry and Ron to come over. Ginny was driving the three of them to the station. Se was well into her third cup of coffee and halfway through the Daily Prophet when the doorbell rang. Harry, Ron and Ginny helped themselves to the coffee in the kitchen while Hermione did a final check on all of her items. Once everything was set, Hermione gathered he aging Crookshanks and placed him into his carrier. The bow- legged cat gave a half-hearted fight upon being placed into the cage but promptly fell asleep once he settled in. Ron and Harry helped carry Hermione's trunk tot he car while Ginny carried Crookshanks as Hermione locked up the apartment. The trunk was placed into the boot of the car that was charmed to accommodate even the largest item. Harry sat upfront with Ginny while Ron and Hermione sat at the back with Crookshanks on Hermione's lap.
The ride to the train station was quiet and uneventful. They arrived at the platform at half past ten, giving them ample time to place their luggage and find a compartment to sit in. The platform was already filled with students and parents. The first years were huddled against heir parents while the older students wet in search for their friends.
"It feels just like yesterday that I was in first year and it was MY first time being n the platform," Harry sighed, as he and Ron placed their luggage in the luggage compartments.
"Yeah, mate. Time sure does fly. Let's go get a seat," Ron said, brushing the dirt from his hands.
Ginny accompanied them onto the train and sat with them for a while in their compartment, talking about the good old days when they were all in school together.
"I wish I was going with you. It would be just like old times," Ginny said. "Hogwarts wasn't the same after the three of you graduated."
"If you came with us, St. Mungo's would be without one of their top healers. We couldn't do that to the public," Hermione replied. "Come on up and visit us when you're free. We'll go down to Hogsmeade for a drink or two."
"Yeah, bring the Ferret with you too," Ron said, earning a playful slap from Ginny.
After talking for a few more minutes, Ginny gave all of them a big hug and promised to visit whenever she could. Kissing them on the cheek one last time, she left. Not five minutes later, there was a knock on the compartment door and it opened to reveal a stunningly beautiful, tall young woman. Her long black hair was left unbound and it fell past her shoulders in wavy curls. Her skin was like smooth, creamy chocolate and her eyes were hazel with flecks of gold. Dressed in a simple shirt and jeans, she looked like one of the students.
"Hi! I'm Dhyana Kensington. Do you mind if I sit with you? The rest f the compartment were full," she asked, her voice like smooth velvet.
"Sure. Come on in," Hermione beckoned. She shifted to her left to make room for the newcomer. "I'm Hermione Granger and these are my friends, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." Just noticing that both men had dropped their jaw when Dhyana stepped in, Hermione leaned forward and gently closed their jaws for them. Turning back to Dhyana, Hermione said, "I'm sorry. These two usually have more manners than this. Are you a new student?"
Dhyana laughed and answered, "No, I'm actually a new teacher. I received a job offer from Professor McGonagall a few weeks back. I decided I needed a change of scenery so I accepted the offer."
"What a coincidence! All three of us are new teachers too. You're not from Hogwarts are you because I've never seen you around," Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm actually from England but my parents and I moved to Salem when I was five. After finishing my degree back in Salem, I decided hat I needed a change of scenery so I jumped at the chance to come back to England when the Hogwarts letter arrived."
The more they talked, both Hermione and Dhyana found they had a lot of things in common. Both girls from Muggle families who love books. Before they know it, they had arrived at Hogsmeade. The four new teachers put on their coats and alighted, joining the throng of excited students. As they made their way to the carriages, Harry heard a familiar booming voice that was calling for the first years to follow him. They only managed to exchange hellos with Hagrid before he had to usher the first years across the river. The four of them then boarded the 'horseless' carriage and made their way to the school.
They were met by the Headmistress at the entrance of the school and was asked to follow her back to her office. They were each given a file that contained the syllabus and the timetables for the classes that they would teach and briefed them on their duties and heir responsibilities as teachers. The front of the file had the name of the subject they were to teach. Hermione was teaching Transfiguration while Harry took the fourth year onwards for Defense Against the Dark Arts and flying classes for Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Ron was taking the first to third years for DADA and flying classes for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. The both of them were also to take turns to referee the Quidditch matches. Dhyana was taking over from Hagrid for Care for Magical Creatures.
"Now that you you've been briefed about your classes, lets go down to the Great Hall for the Sorting and the Feast," McGonagall said, leading the way to the Hall.
The noise level in the Hall dropped the moment the Headmistress and the four new staff members entered. They took their places at the Head table, the four of them sitting to the Headmistress' left. Professor Snape who was on the other side of the table, threw them a contemptuous look after failing once again to obtain the position as DADA professor. The Sorting Hat was brought in and the Sorting went by quickly which was followed by the Feast.
Once the tables were cleared, Headmistress McGonagall stood up to make the yearly announcements.
"As usual, the Forbidden Forest is as its name says, FORBIDDEN! No magic in the halls and corridors and the list of forbidden items can be obtained from Mr Filch. Now that's done, let me introduce the four new teachers who will be joining us. They are Professor Granger and Professor Kensington who will be taking you for Transfiguration and Care or Magical Creatures, respectively. Professor Potter and Professor Weasley will both be taking you for Defense the Dark Arts and Flying lessons. Let's welcome them to Hogwarts," the Headmistress announced.
After the round of applause died down, the students were sent back to their common rooms with their respective house prefects. Turning to the new teachers, Professor McGonagall told them that a guide would show them to their quarters. The guide turned out to be Dobby, who instantly latched himself to Harry's leg. After managing to pry his bony little fingers from Harry's thigh, Dobby led them to a tower near the library and the classrooms. Dhyana and Harry's rooms were on the first floor while Hermione and Ron had their rooms on the second floor.
After bidding the rest of the goodnight, Hermione entered the room that would be her home for the next year. She found herself in a spacious living room that had a plush couches, bookshelves and an L shaped work station at one of the corners of the room. Crookshanks was curled up in front of the fire sleeping quietly. She went into the bedroom and found a king size canopy bed with covers that were in her favourite shades of blue. She smiled as she trailed her fingers over the covers of the bed. She stepped into the bathroom and gasped at the largeness of it. There was a bathtub the size of a small swimming pool in the middle of the bathroom. To the right of it was a shower stall with a frosted glass door. The floor and the sink of the bathroom were made of black marble that was charmed to feel cold on hot days and warm on cold days. She loved the bathroom, especially the many taps of scented, foamy water of the bathtub. After playing with the taps for fifteen minutes, Hermione decided to take a quick shower before going to bed, leaving the unpacking for the next day. Taking her toiletries and her towel from her trunk at the foot of her bed, she hummed all the way to the shower, feeling happy that she was back at Hogwarts.
After a nice warm shower and dressed in her favourite pyjamas, Hermione climbed into bed and brought the covers up to her chin. Rolling over to her left side, she instantly fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
She was walking through the village with a basket full of flowers that she had picked from the meadow. Granny would be pleased to have fresh flowers on the table tonight. She waved to the shopkeepers as she passed the inn and the blacksmith. She laughed when she saw the children of the village chase after a lamb. As she passed the village well, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stood and her cat Jake, who was asleep, woke up instantly. Turning around slowly, she saw Seth Kane, staring at her. His jet-black eyes were looking at her hungrily, like he was undressing her mentally, making her uneasy feeling increase ten-fold. There was something about the black haired young man that always made her feel uneasy.
Jake jumped from her arms and hissed menacingly at Seth, his paws clawing the air. Gathering the cat back into her arms and petting it slowly to calm it down, she said, "What are you staring at Seth? Didn't your mother teach you that it's rude to stare?"
"I can't help it Marianne. You're just so pretty. Besides, my mother's dead," he said with a smirk as he walked towards her. Standing in front of her, he raised his hand and caressed her face with his thumb. "You're so beautiful," he murmured.
Slapping his fingers away, she backed away from him and spat, "Don't you dare touch me again!" She turned and walked away quickly, holding her cat closely.
Smiling evilly he said to himself, "You're mine Marianne. You just don't know it yet."
~ * ~
A clap of thunder that signalled the start of a storm jerked Hermione out of her sleep. Getting up to close the windows of her bedroom, Hermione climbed back into bed and went back to sleep, not remembering her dream.
* * * * * * * * * *
In London, the storm was going at full force. The wind was howling and the rain pelted against the glass pane of the drawing room as Seth sat in front of the fire, nursing a glass of brandy in one hand. At the same time a thunder clap woke Hermione up from her dream, a similar one rang out in London. Seth sat up straight and smiled ferally. Laughing maniacally, he threw the glass of brand to the fire and watch the glass shatter and the alcohol feed the fire into a small explosion.
"Finally, after 300 years I've found you. You WILL be mine Marianne," he said to the empty room. Standing up, he walked to the door and snapped his fingers, extinguishing the fire instantly. He had plotting to be done.
A/N : Finally, another chapter update. Snappish79, this is for you.
'Thinking'
"Talking"
On the morning of September 1st, Hermione woke up bright an early, as the sun rose. Her bedroom window was open, letting the cool morning breeze play with her gauzy white curtains. She rolled over onto her side and stared at the picture on her bedside table. It was a picture of her, Ron and Harry, taken at the reception after George's wedding. Hermione was standing between Ron and Harry, their arms around her waist. It had always been the three of them all through out school. Now, they were going back to Hogwarts, just like old times. The only difference was that they were going back as teachers instead of students. Taking one last look at the photo, Hermione rolled out of bed and went straight o the bathroom for a shower.
After a nice long shower and a hearty breakfast, Hermione made a last minute check of all the items that she was bringing to Hogwarts.
'Packed trunk, check. Wand, check. Dagger, che-'
She flew into a panic when she realised that she couldn't find her dagger. She was about to tear her apartment apart to look for it when she remembered that she had placed it under her pillow the night before. Rushing back into the bedroom and tossing aside her pillow, Hermione sighed with relief when the dagger was where she had left it. Hiking her skirt up, she strapped the dagger and it's sheath to her right thigh. Since she had gotten it at Diagon Alley two weeks ago, Hermione had been unable to be with out it for long periods of time so she had taken to strapping it to her person during the day and placing it under her pillow when she slept at night. She didn't know why having the dagger nearby made her feel calm and safe. She decided to some research on the dagger as soon as she could once she was back in Hogwarts.
After securing th dagger to her thigh, Hermione went back to the kitchen to finish her coffee while waiting for Harry and Ron to come over. Ginny was driving the three of them to the station. Se was well into her third cup of coffee and halfway through the Daily Prophet when the doorbell rang. Harry, Ron and Ginny helped themselves to the coffee in the kitchen while Hermione did a final check on all of her items. Once everything was set, Hermione gathered he aging Crookshanks and placed him into his carrier. The bow- legged cat gave a half-hearted fight upon being placed into the cage but promptly fell asleep once he settled in. Ron and Harry helped carry Hermione's trunk tot he car while Ginny carried Crookshanks as Hermione locked up the apartment. The trunk was placed into the boot of the car that was charmed to accommodate even the largest item. Harry sat upfront with Ginny while Ron and Hermione sat at the back with Crookshanks on Hermione's lap.
The ride to the train station was quiet and uneventful. They arrived at the platform at half past ten, giving them ample time to place their luggage and find a compartment to sit in. The platform was already filled with students and parents. The first years were huddled against heir parents while the older students wet in search for their friends.
"It feels just like yesterday that I was in first year and it was MY first time being n the platform," Harry sighed, as he and Ron placed their luggage in the luggage compartments.
"Yeah, mate. Time sure does fly. Let's go get a seat," Ron said, brushing the dirt from his hands.
Ginny accompanied them onto the train and sat with them for a while in their compartment, talking about the good old days when they were all in school together.
"I wish I was going with you. It would be just like old times," Ginny said. "Hogwarts wasn't the same after the three of you graduated."
"If you came with us, St. Mungo's would be without one of their top healers. We couldn't do that to the public," Hermione replied. "Come on up and visit us when you're free. We'll go down to Hogsmeade for a drink or two."
"Yeah, bring the Ferret with you too," Ron said, earning a playful slap from Ginny.
After talking for a few more minutes, Ginny gave all of them a big hug and promised to visit whenever she could. Kissing them on the cheek one last time, she left. Not five minutes later, there was a knock on the compartment door and it opened to reveal a stunningly beautiful, tall young woman. Her long black hair was left unbound and it fell past her shoulders in wavy curls. Her skin was like smooth, creamy chocolate and her eyes were hazel with flecks of gold. Dressed in a simple shirt and jeans, she looked like one of the students.
"Hi! I'm Dhyana Kensington. Do you mind if I sit with you? The rest f the compartment were full," she asked, her voice like smooth velvet.
"Sure. Come on in," Hermione beckoned. She shifted to her left to make room for the newcomer. "I'm Hermione Granger and these are my friends, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." Just noticing that both men had dropped their jaw when Dhyana stepped in, Hermione leaned forward and gently closed their jaws for them. Turning back to Dhyana, Hermione said, "I'm sorry. These two usually have more manners than this. Are you a new student?"
Dhyana laughed and answered, "No, I'm actually a new teacher. I received a job offer from Professor McGonagall a few weeks back. I decided I needed a change of scenery so I accepted the offer."
"What a coincidence! All three of us are new teachers too. You're not from Hogwarts are you because I've never seen you around," Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm actually from England but my parents and I moved to Salem when I was five. After finishing my degree back in Salem, I decided hat I needed a change of scenery so I jumped at the chance to come back to England when the Hogwarts letter arrived."
The more they talked, both Hermione and Dhyana found they had a lot of things in common. Both girls from Muggle families who love books. Before they know it, they had arrived at Hogsmeade. The four new teachers put on their coats and alighted, joining the throng of excited students. As they made their way to the carriages, Harry heard a familiar booming voice that was calling for the first years to follow him. They only managed to exchange hellos with Hagrid before he had to usher the first years across the river. The four of them then boarded the 'horseless' carriage and made their way to the school.
They were met by the Headmistress at the entrance of the school and was asked to follow her back to her office. They were each given a file that contained the syllabus and the timetables for the classes that they would teach and briefed them on their duties and heir responsibilities as teachers. The front of the file had the name of the subject they were to teach. Hermione was teaching Transfiguration while Harry took the fourth year onwards for Defense Against the Dark Arts and flying classes for Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Ron was taking the first to third years for DADA and flying classes for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. The both of them were also to take turns to referee the Quidditch matches. Dhyana was taking over from Hagrid for Care for Magical Creatures.
"Now that you you've been briefed about your classes, lets go down to the Great Hall for the Sorting and the Feast," McGonagall said, leading the way to the Hall.
The noise level in the Hall dropped the moment the Headmistress and the four new staff members entered. They took their places at the Head table, the four of them sitting to the Headmistress' left. Professor Snape who was on the other side of the table, threw them a contemptuous look after failing once again to obtain the position as DADA professor. The Sorting Hat was brought in and the Sorting went by quickly which was followed by the Feast.
Once the tables were cleared, Headmistress McGonagall stood up to make the yearly announcements.
"As usual, the Forbidden Forest is as its name says, FORBIDDEN! No magic in the halls and corridors and the list of forbidden items can be obtained from Mr Filch. Now that's done, let me introduce the four new teachers who will be joining us. They are Professor Granger and Professor Kensington who will be taking you for Transfiguration and Care or Magical Creatures, respectively. Professor Potter and Professor Weasley will both be taking you for Defense the Dark Arts and Flying lessons. Let's welcome them to Hogwarts," the Headmistress announced.
After the round of applause died down, the students were sent back to their common rooms with their respective house prefects. Turning to the new teachers, Professor McGonagall told them that a guide would show them to their quarters. The guide turned out to be Dobby, who instantly latched himself to Harry's leg. After managing to pry his bony little fingers from Harry's thigh, Dobby led them to a tower near the library and the classrooms. Dhyana and Harry's rooms were on the first floor while Hermione and Ron had their rooms on the second floor.
After bidding the rest of the goodnight, Hermione entered the room that would be her home for the next year. She found herself in a spacious living room that had a plush couches, bookshelves and an L shaped work station at one of the corners of the room. Crookshanks was curled up in front of the fire sleeping quietly. She went into the bedroom and found a king size canopy bed with covers that were in her favourite shades of blue. She smiled as she trailed her fingers over the covers of the bed. She stepped into the bathroom and gasped at the largeness of it. There was a bathtub the size of a small swimming pool in the middle of the bathroom. To the right of it was a shower stall with a frosted glass door. The floor and the sink of the bathroom were made of black marble that was charmed to feel cold on hot days and warm on cold days. She loved the bathroom, especially the many taps of scented, foamy water of the bathtub. After playing with the taps for fifteen minutes, Hermione decided to take a quick shower before going to bed, leaving the unpacking for the next day. Taking her toiletries and her towel from her trunk at the foot of her bed, she hummed all the way to the shower, feeling happy that she was back at Hogwarts.
After a nice warm shower and dressed in her favourite pyjamas, Hermione climbed into bed and brought the covers up to her chin. Rolling over to her left side, she instantly fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
She was walking through the village with a basket full of flowers that she had picked from the meadow. Granny would be pleased to have fresh flowers on the table tonight. She waved to the shopkeepers as she passed the inn and the blacksmith. She laughed when she saw the children of the village chase after a lamb. As she passed the village well, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stood and her cat Jake, who was asleep, woke up instantly. Turning around slowly, she saw Seth Kane, staring at her. His jet-black eyes were looking at her hungrily, like he was undressing her mentally, making her uneasy feeling increase ten-fold. There was something about the black haired young man that always made her feel uneasy.
Jake jumped from her arms and hissed menacingly at Seth, his paws clawing the air. Gathering the cat back into her arms and petting it slowly to calm it down, she said, "What are you staring at Seth? Didn't your mother teach you that it's rude to stare?"
"I can't help it Marianne. You're just so pretty. Besides, my mother's dead," he said with a smirk as he walked towards her. Standing in front of her, he raised his hand and caressed her face with his thumb. "You're so beautiful," he murmured.
Slapping his fingers away, she backed away from him and spat, "Don't you dare touch me again!" She turned and walked away quickly, holding her cat closely.
Smiling evilly he said to himself, "You're mine Marianne. You just don't know it yet."
~ * ~
A clap of thunder that signalled the start of a storm jerked Hermione out of her sleep. Getting up to close the windows of her bedroom, Hermione climbed back into bed and went back to sleep, not remembering her dream.
* * * * * * * * * *
In London, the storm was going at full force. The wind was howling and the rain pelted against the glass pane of the drawing room as Seth sat in front of the fire, nursing a glass of brandy in one hand. At the same time a thunder clap woke Hermione up from her dream, a similar one rang out in London. Seth sat up straight and smiled ferally. Laughing maniacally, he threw the glass of brand to the fire and watch the glass shatter and the alcohol feed the fire into a small explosion.
"Finally, after 300 years I've found you. You WILL be mine Marianne," he said to the empty room. Standing up, he walked to the door and snapped his fingers, extinguishing the fire instantly. He had plotting to be done.
