Hermione beamed as she entered the private quarters she'd be living in for the year ahead. The room resembled a small apartment and was already well-equipped with furnishings and decor sporting several shades of Gryffindor red and gold. A sturdy wooden bookshelf covered the entire back wall, its shelves mainly stuffed with works dedicated to her subject of specialization, Transfiguration. Hermione wondered if McGonagall had read all of the literature while living there.
Just moments behind her, a small female elf entered the quarters struggling to levitate the witch's overflowing trunk. Much to Hermione's displeasure, Hoppy the elf had insisted upon delivering her belongings and had burst into tears when objected against. Not wanting to insult the elves again on her first day back to Hogwarts, the young woman had defeatedly agreed.
As Hoppy worked away at folding and hanging clothing, Hermione began sorting her collection of favorite books she'd struggled to select earlier that morning. Nearly an hour of focused organizing passed before it was time to head to the Great Hall for an all-staff dinner.
"Hoppy will continue working, Professor Granger," the spirited elf assured Hermione, oblivious to the frustration it caused her.
"Thank you, Hoppy," Hermione forced out through gritted teeth, leaving the quarters quickly to avoid the temptation of excusing the poor creature. Her encounter with Hoppy raised thoughts of reassembling S.P.E.W., the organization she'd founded her fourth year at Hogwarts in an attempt to win rights for house-elves. Perhaps leading the effort as a professor would strengthen her ability to recruit members.
Finding her way from her residence on the seventh floor to the Great Hall was as easy as when she'd been a student. Each twist and turn was ingrained like muscle-memory, so she was able to reach her destination without a bump in the road. As she entered the hall, her heart fluttered at the sight of the ever-magnificent magic which characterized the room's beauty. Just as she remembered, tall walls reached up to an enchanted ceiling designed to appear as the evening sky beyond, and a massive array of floating candles twinkled in the open airspace below it. Four long tables lined the main area, looking oddly vacant with the absence of students eating and socializing around them. At the front of the hall, several Hogwarts staff members had already congregated and were talking animatedly amongst each other at the High Table.
"Can' believe meh eyes," a familiar voice boomed from across the hall. "Hermione Granger, 's that you?"
"Hagrid," Hermione called happily, hastening her pace to the front to greet her towering half-giant friend. "It's been so long!"
The pair spent several minutes conversing about their lives since they'd last met over the Christmas holiday. Hagrid happily revealed that he'd been reinstated to his role of Care of Magical Creatures professor and that he'd spent the last several months collecting various creatures for the incoming school year. His most recent projects were capturing a Glumbumble-infested beehive and training a baby Erumpent he'd found abandoned while traveling in Africa. Hermione tried her best to appear interested as he detailed the latter creatures' tendency to blow itself up while mating. "'The horn 'as an explodin' fluid," he explained energetically, eyes wide with enthusiasm.
As the half-giant went on to tell of the great Sphinx he'd also encountered during his travels, Hermione's attention was drawn to the main doors of the Great Hall as they opened to reveal the only remaining staff member to arrive. Severus Snape entered the room with authority and poise, his characteristic black robes swirling around him as he traversed the hall. His presence commanded attention, yet Hermione seemed to be the only person in the room transfixed by his arrival.
"Good evening, everyone," McGonagall warmly proclaimed, snapping Hermione's attention to the witch at the headmistress's throne chair. "Welcome back to another school year at Hogwarts!"
Everyone celebrated with cheers, handshakes, and pats on the back. Hagrid was, of course, the loudest of all, his enthusiastic clapping shaking the entire table. Hermione smiled brightly as those seated around her shook her hand and welcomed her back. Professor Flitwick seemed particularly excited to have his star student on staff, noting that she'd be a wonderful Charms professor if the position weren't already occupied.
"Tonight, we celebrate the reopening of our beloved Hogwarts, and we welcome our newest staff additions to the family. First, allow me to introduce Ms. Mathilda Sweetleaf, Professor of Muggle Studies."
Cheerful applause erupted as Mathilda stood from her seat, the top of her head barely reaching Hagrid's elbow beside her. Hermione noticed that the little witch appeared to love the attention, milking the moment of recognition a bit longer than appropriate.
"Next, Mr. Thomas Fogs, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Cheers and whistles filled the room once more as an older, stern-looking man stood and acknowledged the crowd with a single nod before returning to his seat. Hermione instantly recognized him as the auror Ron had worked under for his first year or so at the Ministry. The Daily Prophet had said that Fogs stepped down from the position after sustaining a nasty curse to the head, but didn't provide any details beyond that.
"And last but not least, Ms. Hermione Granger, Professor of Transfiguration."
Hermione couldn't help but notice the added enthusiasm to the applause at her name. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks as her former-professors cheered her on, proud to have been part of her preparation for teaching at Hogwarts.
The only wizard who appeared uninterested was Snape, eyes looking anywhere but at her, as he offered a few lackluster claps. Hermione continued smiling and giving thanks as she took her seat, but she couldn't help but be bothered at the man's refusal to acknowledge her. She wondered if he still loathed her for being, as he had put it, an insufferable know-it-all, or if simply being friends with Harry or being a Gryffindor was the root of his problem. Either way, the grudge he seemed to still have against her was extremely frustrating.
"Now, let us eat," McGonagall cried, cueing the appearance of a delicious buffet of dishes at the table before them. Hermione hadn't realized how hungry she was until she was wafted with the mouth-watering smells of the freshly cooked food. As soon as Hagrid and Professor Vector to her right started filling their plates, she permitted herself to dive in for a helping of shepherd's pie.
The evening flew by as Hermione found herself invited into one conversation after another. She found that she was barely able to get a bite in with the number of questions her former professors were hitting her with, especially once they were a few pints in. Light conversations about life after the war slowly morphed into more personal topics such as leaving her job at the Ministry and living without her memory-charmed parents. Professor Sprout even inquired about her relationship with Ron, much to her immense embarrassment.
"Oh, well, we aren't exactly together anymore," Hermione had sputtered, cheeks burning at the mention of her ex-boyfriend.
The listening professors gasped at the revelation, likely having expected the two to be in the talks of marriage by then. Hermione couldn't help but flash a glance at Snape who, to her surprise, seemed to be listening in on the awkward conversation. Hoping he hadn't noticed her looking, she continued on in hopes of concluding the short-lived discussion.
"It's actually for the better, really. Ron and I have a great friendship," she explained a little too enthusiastically. Fortunately, her coworkers didn't pry any further.
It was nearing eleven o'clock when one-by-one, witches and wizards started departing from the gathering for the night. Hermione knew that she had a full day of organizing her classroom and finalizing Transfiguration curriculum ahead of her, so she took a final swig of her butterbeer and stood to exit the Great Hall. Making her way down from the staff table, she noticed that Snape had coincidently begun to leave himself. As she opened her mouth to say something, she was interrupted by an icy "Goodnight, Ms. Granger." Before she could respond, the man had hastened his pace and exited the doors ahead of them.
"Fine then," Hermione huffed, following behind in confused frustration. "So it's going to be like this again."
Thank you for reading!
Hello, friends! I'm Erin, a proud Slytherin with a Ravenclaw's love for writing. My Patronus is a bloodhound and my wand is willow wood with a unicorn hair core, 11 3/4" and quite flexible flexibility. How about you?
I would greatly appreciate a review or favorite as they serve as great inspiration for me to continue writing. Much love, friends!