Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

THANKS FOR READING

Hermione had only been at Harry's house for a couple of days and had already gotten into several heated arguments with Ron. In truth she was in one with him right now. All because of Ginny and her big mouth.

"Ronald Weasley if you do not shut up and stay out of my business I will turn you into a toad!" Hermione screamed.

"Ron I think you should listen to her, mate." Harry coward away.

"No! she shouldn't be with him if he hurts her. Look at those bruises!" Ron pointed at Hermione.

"It's none of you damn business, Ron." she yelled back crossing her arms over her chest.

"Is that why you're here so early?" Harry asked.

"Yes. So I can think. But now I see that that will be impossible." Hermione grabbed her bags.

"Where are you going?" Ron inquired.

"The Leaky Cauldron. At least they will stay out of my business." Hermione said before apparating.

"Look what you did Ron. We're supposed to be her friends and help her out . You just pissed her off." Harry stomped out the room and to the living room.

Ron followed in a rage. "It's not like I meant to. But she shouldn't be with him it's not a healthy relationship."

Harry rounded on him, "Oh and yours and Lavender's is any better? How many times a month do you come here needing a place to stay?"

"That's not the same. We don't beat each other."

"Well until your relationship gets better stay out of Hermione's." Harry went into the kitchen and started making something to eat.

THE LEAKY CAULDRON

"Tom, could I please have a room for the next couple of days?" Hermione said coming in the door.

"Sure thing, Miss Granger." Tom took her bags and lead her up to Room 13.

He put her bags in the room. "Thank you, Tom." she said as he left.

It was late and she was about to get ready to take a shower and go to bed; when an owl landed on her window seal and started pecking at it. "I'm coming, I'm coming." Hermione said more to herself than to the owl. As she opened the window the owl flew in and landed on the little desk. She walked over to it taking the roll of parchment and giving the bird a treat. She noticed the handwriting immediately, it was from Dumbledore.

Dear Miss Granger,

It has became known to me that you are staying at the Leaky Cauldron. I was wondering why you would be here so early. Has something happened at home that is bothering you? I'm sure if you tell your friends they will help you through no problems. But that is not why I'm writing you, I was wondering if you could come in Monday to teach Ancient Runes for the week. Professor Williams is very ill and we need a replacement. I was sure you loved it so much in your third year that I knew you'd most likely love to teach it for us. Our meeting is Thursday evening in my office. But I'm quite sure I will not be needing to remind you of it at all times. It is very urgent that you do not miss this meeting no matter what. I can not tell you anything of the meeting just that it is important. Well I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time. I will see you Monday, well maybe tomorrow if you'd like that way you could get things ready for Monday.

Hogwarts Headmaster

Albus Dumbledore.

Hermione folded the letter back and put it in her suitcase. Great now I get to teach a stupid class. I didn't sign up for this. She headed into the bathroom and started the hot water, and then the cold to even it out.

Well technically you didn't sign up for anything.

I know my point exactly.

She stepped into the shower and let the water cascade down her bruised and battered body, and tried to remember the last time she felt like nothing mattered.

When you weren't with Todd.

No one asked you. But I suppose you're right.

You do realize that you're practically talking to yourself.

Shut up and leave me alone.

Hermione got out of the shower 45 minutes later tired and hungry. She decided to wait until breakfast to eat she'd had some soup at Harry's. As she got into bed she couldn't help but feel that someone or something was watching her, but she fell asleep nonetheless.

THE NEXT DAY

Hermione woke up the next morning to the sound of yet another owl at her window.

"Who is it now?" she said to herself letting the owl in. She noticed at once that it was Hedwig.

Dear Herm,

Hey, I'm really sorry about Ron he just wants what's best for you. I personally don't think you should be with Todd either, but it's your decision I won't bug you about it. Did you get a letter from Dumbledore yesterday? I did he was reminding me about the meeting and he said you were going to teach for a week. That's awesome you're the smartest person I know besides Dumbledore of course. Well I know you just woke up to I'll let you go. See you in a week.

Love,

Harry

Hermione stood there for a minute before throwing the letter in her suitcase and heading downstairs for breakfast with all her things.

"Excuse me Miss Granger, I thought you said you would be staying for a couple of days?" Tom questioned as she at one of the tables.

"Well Dumbledore sent me an owl last night telling me I would be teaching a class at Hogwarts for a week and that I needed to be there today, so I won't be needing a room anymore."

His face dropped, "Ok then, I'll just need your pay for last night."

She pulled out three gold coins and a silver one and handed them to Tom. "Here you go that should cover the room and breakfast."

"Thank you ma'am." he scurried off to get her breakfast.

As she was sitting there she overheard some people talking how dark things were happening around Hogwarts and surrounding areas. She began to wonder if maybe this was why Dumbledore had wanted a meeting. Tom soon returned with her breakfast and she put aside what she had heard as she hurriedly ate the breakfast and left for Hogsmeade by apparition. Hermione found herself outside of Hogwarts gates where a blue eyed, big nosed, house elf was waiting.

"Are you the Misses Hermione Granger?"

"Yes."

"I am to show you to Master Dumbledore. Please follow me." he said.

Hermione was quite obliged to follow this poor creature, mainly because she didn't want to walk through the castle by herself. "So what's your name?" Hermione asked the house elf.

"Cozter, ma'am." he stared up at Hermione with bright blue eyes, like he couldn't be happier.

"How long have you worked for Dumbledore?"

"Only since the Dark Lord was defeated, I had worked for one of his followers and when I was freed I decided to come work for Master Dumbledore."

Hermione stopped for a second. "But if you were freed why would you want to come work doing the same thing you were doing once before?"

Cozter looked up at her once again. "Because Misses Granger, we house elves would never be offered a regular job and frankly I would rather do this. I love working for Master Dumbledore. He is a wonderful man. Many of my friends have come here as well."

"Well as long as you're happy I suppose that's all that counts." Hermione said as they got to the giant griffin that guarded Dumbledore's office.

"Here you are ma'am, I hope your stay here is most excellent." Cozter said in a low bow before turning and leaving for the kitchens.

Hermione turned back to the griffin and then remembered that she didn't have the password. "Wait Cozter, I don't have the… password." she turned around to find him gone.

"Hermione Granger?" she heard a mans voice ask.

"Yes?" she looked down the hall to see one person she wished she'd never have to see again. "Malfoy."

"Must you still use my last name, I mean we aren't in school anymore just use my first name. You can say my first name right?" he asked with a sneer.

"Yes, Draco I can say your first name. I just prefer to use last names when I talk to my enemy." she let a smirk play across her sweet face.

"I was going to tell you the password but seeing as how you were so rude I think not." he turned to leave.

"No wait, I'm sorry." she said putting her hand on his shoulder. "It's just habit."

"Fine, Hinklepuffs." Draco said. The griffin began to spiral upwards revealing stairs.

"Thank you, Draco."

"You're welcome, but the only reason I did it was because I have an appointment with Dumbledore. He says he has a new teacher for Ancient Runes that he needs me to help out."

Hermione's jaw dropped, Oh my God, I can't believe I have to work with him. This really is not fair. She was just staring at him with a horrified look on her face as if he were a monster or something.

"Hermione. Hermione," he waved his hand in her face. "Hermione, are you ok?"

She snapped out of it, "Huh, oh yeah I'm fine." Hermione twirled around and walked up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.

When she got to the door she knocked and waited an answer. "Come in, my dears, come in."

Hermione walked in with Draco right behind her. "Sir I'm here for the teaching arrangement."

"Yes Hermione I know that. Draco I suppose you figured out why she was here as well."

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore nodded, with the usual twinkle in his eyes. "Very well, Hermione, Draco will be your shall I say teacher. Now I know that during school you two never got along but I hope that things have changed at that you've become more mature. This teaching job may be temporary but that is only for as long as Professor Williams is ill. My hope is that even though you are not a teacher you will be able to help us out in our time of need as we have helped you in yours."

Hermione held a questioning gaze, "My time? What do you mean Professor?"

"You will see in due time, as for now here is Professor Williams' class schedule and each classes planner. Draco will show you to your classroom and your bedroom is right next to his in the south wing. I hope you stay here will be helpful." he finished in a dismissive tone and went back to his work.

Draco walked to the door and held it open for Hermione who walked out and down to the hall, still holding a confused look. "Why do you have that look on your face, Hermione?"

"No reason, and don't call me Hermione please."

He started leading her down the hall to the east wing to one of the classroom. "Here you go, and fine if you don't want me to call you Hermione I won't. So Granger let me show you to your humble quarters." he began walking yet again this time to the south wing.

"How did he? No I'm sure?" she whispered to herself.

"Granger are you talking to yourself?"

"No, Malfoy, now stay out of my business."

"Fine."

The rest of the walk was mainly silent. Until they got near the Great Hall where Hermione could hear the children eating their lunch.

A young man came running out of the Great Hall almost knocking Hermione down. "Oh, I'm so sorry." he said as he ran past her.

"That's Sean. He's in Ravenclaw. He's a very good student. Acts a lot like Neville. Anyways this way."

Hermione sheepishly followed him, watching out for any stray students. And instead of watching where she was going, not noticing that Draco had stopped bumped right into him. "I'm sorry, Draco."

"It's ok. Here is your room, and my room is right across the hall so if you need anything, anything at all I'm right there. Now I have some papers to grade I'll see you at dinner." He left and walked in the direction of the Potions classroom, leaving Hermione to herself.

Wow, he's changed! At least he's not the same little prick that he was during school. Hermione walked into her room. It wasn't much, mainly just a bed and a desk. She decided to fix it up later right now she wanted to take a walk around the grounds. Hermione soon found herself walking to Hagrid's hut, she didn't even know if he was still there, but she figured she'd give it a chance. When she finally got to the little hut she could smell the little fire he had going and something cooking with the smell of pumpkin. She knocked on the door, and could soon hear the sound of his heavy footsteps.

"'ermione, my gosh how you've grown." he said opening to the door and engulfing her in a giant sized hug. "What are you doing here the meeting isn't until Thursday?" he said letting her go.

"Well Dumbledore wants me to teach Ancient Runes for Professor Williams."

"Oh yea I remember him talkin' 'bout that. Won't you come in?" he said moving aside.

"Sure. So Hagrid how have you been lately?"

"Pretty good, what about you?"

"Good, I suppose. How long has Draco been working here?"

"Since you-know-who was defeated." Hermione nodded. "'re you happy back at home?"

"Yea, Ginny and I own an inn in London. You might have heard of it 'The Only Thing' it's more of a bed and breakfast than an inn, but it's the same none the less. I'm just really glad to be back here, it's like I'm reliving my past." Hermione put a big smile on her face and took a sip of the tea Hagrid just gave her.

"That's nice, well if you need anything while you're here I'll be happy to help."

"Thanks Hagrid. Well I should get going, I have a lot to get ready for. I'll see you at dinner." Hermione said her goodbye and was soon off to the castle once again. She found herself walking to the library, not paying attention once again, this time she found herself on the ground.

"Sorry. Here let me help." she heard Draco's voice and let him help her. "You really should watch where you're going."

"Yeah I know. I just have some things on my mind." she paused. "What do you teach anyways?"

"Potions."

"What but you sucked at that class when we were here?"

"Yeah, it's kind of crazy how things work out. So where are you headed, probably the library no doubt."

"How'd you know?"

"You honestly can't help but be a know-it-all can you."

"Hey not fair. I was just getting some books to read for fun. Not to learn anything."

"If you say so. So do you need any help with anything?"

"No Draco I do not, but thanks for asking. I'll see you at dinner." Hermione walked off in the direction of her room this time.

"Hey what about the books?" Draco yelled.

Hermione turned around. "Oh I can live without them." she then started walking again. Draco just shook his head and continued on his way.

When she got to her room she decided to write Harry and Ron a letter.

Dear Harry and Ron,

Hey you guys, I'm at Hogwarts now. It's great, everything is practically the same just you're not here. I'm sorry I blew up at you Ron, it's just Ginny had no right to tell you my business. I know she meant well she just should have asked me first. You must be pretty mad at me. It's not that I don't want your opinion it's just that I'm scared of what he'll do to me if I leave again. And I can just imagine what he'd say if he knew I was talking to you guys. Todd is one of those types of people who doesn't know what he's doing until he's done it and then he tries and tries to apologize and make you feel better. I know I shouldn't be with him considering what he's done to me, but I don't know what to do. Ginny is trying to help me get out of this relationship but it's not working. And no I do not want you two to interfere either. I will take care of this myself, like I have everything else. Oh and Draco works at the school he's the new Potions teacher, which probably means that Snape is now the DADA professor. Oh well. Well I need to try and get ready for class tomorrow, if you need anything you know where I am and how to reach me. I'll see you Thursday, good day to you both.

Love,

Hermione

She folded the letter and slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans, she decided to take it to the owlery before dinner.

Hermione spent the rest of her day in her classroom trying to organize the chicken scratch that Professor Williams had left for her. She had only been in there for about 4 hours when there was a knock on her office door. "Come in."

Draco walked in with a pile of papers. "These are from Dumbledore. He says that there papers from when Williams was here that need to be handed back to the students." he dropped the papers on her desk.

"Thanks." she paused. "How did I get appointed to the job anyways?"

"Actually I told Dumbledore he should get you to do this. Mainly because I know you're smart and because you liked this class a lot when you were in it."

Hermione gave him a go-to-hell look. "Great, the little cockroach hired me." she sneered. "How did you even know I liked this class? We weren't exactly friends and I'm sure Harry and Ron don't know that either."

"Ha. I'm sure you remember who my family worked for during our school years, it was kind of my duty to keep an eye on the three of you." he shrugged, "Now don't you think we should go to dinner?"

She gave him a questioning glare, "I never said I'd go to dinner with you I just said I'd see you there."

"But we're here right now together and we're both about to go to dinner so we might as well go together." he stated logically.

"Fine, but just because we work together and live across the hall from each other does not mean we're friends. We are colleagues, and that's all."

He nodded and they left for dinner.