Hermione couldn't help but find the situation completely amusing, in a bizarre and gruesome manner. Her first day back at Hogwarts and the first person she had to run into -- literally -- was Snape. She knew there was little hope that he had changed since her days as his student, but she was no longer the meek student in awe of his superior intellect. She found she was actually looking forward to his verbal sparring.
"Who in bloody hell would be so stupid as to stand about in doorways?" Snape fumed as he struggled to his feet, brushing back his shiny black hair, eyes quickly taking in her form, his mind refusing to make the connection between the body and the person.
"It would seem you're losing your grace as you age, Professor," she remarked casually, and his glare turned icy as he finally recognized her.
"Miss Granger," he spat. "It would appear those rumors of your return are indeed true."
"Yes, I'd heard there was need for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Her voice was silky, and she smiled wickedly as she added, "Don't worry, Professor, it's only for one year, so you'll have another chance next year."
His eyes flared as he opened his mouth for an undoubtedly scathing reply, when a kindly voice called for Snape from the stairs, followed by Albus Dumbledore's tall frame appearing in the doorway, his hand stroking his long white beard.
"Severus, are you alright?" His twinkling eyes landed on Hermione and he smiled. "Miss Granger! How wonderful to see you! And I see you've bumped into Professor Snape already."
Hermione thought she heard laughter in Dumbledore's voice, and it certainly caught Snape's attention, who shifted his glare to the headmaster.
"If you will excuse me, I do not have time to dally in the hallways. Unlike everyone else present, I have work to attend to," Snape hissed and stormed down the hallway, his robes following closely.
Hermione laughed softly as she watched Snape's retreating figure and said, "That answers my question on whether he's changed over the years."
"Change can be very slow without a catalyst," Dumbledore stated cryptically. She frowned, not quite following, at which Dumbledore smiled, motioning to his office. "Well then, shall we have some tea?"
She followed him upstairs and settled in one of the chairs across from the headmaster. He passed her a cup of tea, which she accepted with thanks. She also took a few of the lemon drops that he also offered, in order to assuage her empty stomach.
"So how are Harry and Ron?" Dumbledore asked, sipping his tea.
"Harry's off on somewhere in Germany for a few more weeks, so we haven't talked recently. He doesn't even know about the reassignment yet as far as I know. Ron, of course, is very upset about my coming here, but he'll get used to it."
Dumbledore nodded. "How do you feel, Hermione? About the reassignment?"
She frowned and looked down at her cup. "I'm not sure, to be honest, Headmaster."
"Please, call me Albus."
"I'll try, but be patient. It will take some getting used to," she said, laughing nervously. "It seems to me at this point in the war, I should be out there with Harry, capturing Death Eaters and scouting for intelligence. I'm sure there's some legitimate reason for my presence here, but I wasn't informed of it."
"There is a very good reason you are here, but I cannot reveal the full details to you. Everything I am about to tell you must remain in this room. If any is repeated, it could prove hazardous to numerous people." He paused and she nodded gravely, giving the older wizard her full attention. "We have another spy among Voldemort's followers."
"What?" she asked, clearly surprised. "Someone other than Snape?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, someone more trusted than Professor Snape is currently. Which leads to your reason for being at Hogwarts this year. We have reason to believe that Voldemort is aware of Severus's duplicity and has plans for him. You are here, in essence, to protect him."
"Why not just stop him from returning to Voldemort? Is Snape even aware of this?"
"Professor Snape is not aware of the situation, and it must remain as such. If he does not continue on as if nothing has happened, Voldemort will become suspicious and we could lose both Professor Snape and our other contact. However, we will be alerted of any new plans for Severus."
Hermione sat silent, her mind racing over the implications. "Is this new spy trustworthy? How do we know he's not working for Voldemort?"
Dumbledore gave a small smile, his eyes twinkling. "Yes, very trustworthy." He reached forward and took a few lemon drops before changing the subject. "How do you feel about teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"Actually I was telling Ron that I'd rather face Death Eaters than face these students, especially if they're anything like the three of us were!"
He laughed heartily in agreement. "Poor Minerva had to defend the three of you against Severus many a time during your seven years here, even more than against the Weasley twins, I'd imagine."
"There aren't any students like that currently, are there?"
"There are always students like that, but none quite on the same level. I can easily assure you that the Marauders were the last group that were as ... challenging as yours."
Hermione grinned and said, "Well, I'm sure Sirius would be pleased to know that his godson followed in his footsteps!"
They talked of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, and of the students and teachers from Hermione's days at Hogwarts, Hermione laughing, smiling, and feeling quite at home suddenly.
After their tea, Dumbledore showed Hermione to her new quarters, which were nicer and roomier than she'd had in London. She had her own sitting room with a monstrous fireplace and walls which were covered in bookshelves, a bedroom with the world's most comfortable bed and an incredible view, and then there was the bathroom, which was like heaven on earth. She couldn't wait to take a long, hot bath later.
She unpacked quickly, muttering a spell and her books began sorting themselves first by topic and then alphabetically by author, but they filled barely half of her bookshelves. She promised to remedy that as soon as she could get down to Hogsmeade. That would be a definite advantage of this job, she decided, having time to read again. She had fallen behind on her reading lately.
Her clothes and other things could wait, as her stomach started growling incessantly, and so she set off towards the kitchens, having very little trouble finding her way.
It was so strange being back at Hogwarts without Harry and Ron. Everytime she rounded a corner, she half expected to catch them up to something, getting into trouble, waiting for her to rescue them. She wondered how Harry was, what exactly he was doing in Germany anyway. She had left instructions with Ron to owl her as soon as Harry returned.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, she was surrounded by house-elves, each wanting nothing more than to secure her happiness.
"Um, hi, I'm Hermione Granger and I'm a new teacher here," she began.
One elf squeaked excitedly, "Oh, Miss! We knows who you is! Dobby is so happy that you is coming back to Hogwarts to teach! He is telling us all about you and Mister Harry!"
"Dobby! He's still here?"
"Yes, Miss, but he is taking his day off today," the same elf informed her, shaking his head, the rest of the elves joining him in showing that they disapproved of Dobby's work ethics. "Dobby is bad elf. Dobby should not be taking day off, especially when students is coming back soon!"
Hermione laughed, remember her futile attempt so many years ago to improve the labor conditions of the elves at Hogwarts. "Well, tell him I said hello, will you?"
"Yes, Miss. Is you needing something?"
"Actually, I am starving and was hoping to get a snack before lunch."
Five elves carrying trays full of delicious, steaming hot food promptly appeared in front of her as another handed her a plate and silverware.
"Well, I was just hoping for a ham sandwich, if that's not too much trouble," she said moments before she was handed a plate with the sandwich. "Thank you very much."
"You is welcome, Miss," the elf said happily as Hermione wolfed down the sandwich. He took the empty plate from her and the elves waved goodbye as she left.
Feeling much better, she decided to pay a visit to her old head of house, Professor McGonagall. She muttered a quick location charm which showed McGonagall in her office. As Hermione made her way down the corridor, Peeves flew past her, cackling madly, and ducked into a classroom. Moments later, Filch rounded the corner, breathing heavily.
"Where did that bastard go?" he managed to wheeze out. "I saw him come down this hallway."
Hermione pointed Filch in the direction the poltergeist had gone, and he left, cursing under his breath, and she continued on.
The door to McGonagall's office was open but the room was empty. Thinking perhaps she had just missed McGonagall, she repeated the location spell, and again it showed the office. Frowning, she stepped back into the office and scanned it quickly, laughed when she finally spotted the tabby lounging in an armchair by the empty fireplace, its large green eyes watching her expectantly.
"Hello, Professor," she said as she walked to the other chair and sat down.
The tabby yawned and stretched luxuriously, before transfiguring into the familiar shape of Minerva McGonagall, square glasses and tight bun and all. Hermione felt as if she'd fallen into a time flux and had been transported back in time since McGonagall didn't look any different. The older witch smiled warmly, reaching over to grasp Hermione's hand.
"Child, I haven't seen you since your graduation! You really have turned into a beautiful woman!"
Hermione blushed, unsure how to respond when anyone told her she had changed since she still felt like an awkward teenager most of the time. "Yes, it has been a long time, Professor McGonagall. I've been meaning to come back, but I've been so busy and lost track of time, I guess," she answered sheepishly.
McGonagall laughed and squeezed her hand. "I've heard that excuse before, Hermione. And please call me Minerva, since we are colleagues now."
"Professor Dumbledore -- Albus -- told me the same thing, you know. It's so bizarre having to think of my teachers as having real names!"
"Would you like some tea, dear?" McGonagall asked as reached for the teapot sitting nearby.
"No, I'm fine, thanks. Just raided the kitchens actually."
The two witches talked for a long while about the ministry, Harry and Ron, the war against Voldemort, Hogwarts teachers, and nearly every other subject until Hermione announced that she needed to go over her lesson plans.
"If you ever need a friendly ear or shoulder, you're always welcome here, Hermione," McGonagall said with a maternal air. "Teaching can be very stressful in the beginning."
"Thank you, Professor -- Minerva," Hermione said, her cheeks burning slightly. It was so strange to say McGonagall's name as if they were equals. But then we are equals now, aren't we? She started to leave the office when McGonagall called her back.
"Hermione? Tell me, did you continue to study transfiguration after Hogwarts?"
Knowing that she had always been one of McGonagall's favorite students, Hermione smiled. She quickly transformed into a small, grey cat with brilliant green eyes. McGonagall's eyes lit up and she clapped.
"Excellent choice!" she said with a broad smile as Hermione returned to her regular form.
"Of course!" Hermione laughed, and continued, "You know transfiguration was always one of my stronger subjects."
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A/N:
I'm not sure about the characterizations so far, so if you have any comments/concerns, please post! Again, please R/R!