Hermione apparated into Hogsmeade early Monday morning. She stopped by Honeydukes to pick up a small gift for the elder witch. She had time before she needed to be at the school, so she took a few moments to walk the streets of Hogsmeade. She recalled all of the times that she had visited the shops with her Ron and Harry while they were still in school. She remembered spending time with a certain seventh year in The Three Broomsticks while she was still in her fifth year. The memories turned sour quickly as she recalled apparating to the small village before the Battle of Hogwarts and speaking with Aberforth Dumbledore.

This time, however, she did not sneak onto school grounds through a tunnel. She walked out of the village and approached the large iron gates that would lead her to her destination. She took a deep breath and spoke the long incantation which would allow her to request entrance from the Headmistress.

She only waited a moment before the wrought iron gate opened before her eyes. She walked onto the grounds, chuckling as she felt the wards part as she passed through them. She glanced towards Hagrid's cabin and was happy to see a small stream of smoke funneling out of the chimney. He appeared to be home.

She continued towards the castle, grinning as the front doors came into focus. She had spent many years in eager anticipation as she approached the entrance to the expansive school. Today was no different. The moment she passed into the entrance hall, she was met with an overwhelming sense of calm. She had finally returned home.

Hermione was mildly surprised that she was not met in the front corridor by the Headmistress, as that was typical behavior when a guest arrived on the grounds. Hermione was unfazed by this as she navigated through the halls she knew all-too-well.

The headmistress stood at the base of the spiral staircase that would lead into her new office. "Lillian, thank you for meeting me." The older woman's eyes sparkled with mirth as she led the younger witch up the stairs and into the office.

In front of the desk sat two plush armchairs in a deep burgundy color that complemented the light grey stone floor beautifully. Hermione settled into one of the chairs and smiled at the headmistress. "As I'm sure you're aware, the pleasure is actually mine."

Minerva laughed as Hermione's professional facade faded and her knowing smirk graced her features. "It is so great to have you back in this castle." The elder witch conjured two cups of tea and a tray of biscuits for the pair. "Now, let's get business out of the way so that I can hear all about your latest adventures."

At the younger woman's nod of confirmation, Minerva continued. "Have you had the opportunity to speak with your employer about your potential change in employment?"

Hermione nodded. "I have spoken with him. He is ready to release me to work for Hogwarts as soon as you need me."

The older witch grinned in response. "I am so happy to hear that. If he needs any compensation for allowing you to leave before the typical two weeks time frame, do not hesitate to let me know. We have a little budget to spare these days. I would be more than happy to put it to good use."

"Thank you, Minerva. I will speak with him again after our meeting so that we can iron out any details he might need."

"Perfect. Students are due back a week from today, so I will need you here and moved in by then if that is possible. If not, arrangements can be made, but it would be the most convenient if you could move in next weekend."

Hermione's green eyes widened in response. She grasped her mug tightly before taking a long drink. "You need me to be moved in less than a week from now? Also, you need me to move in here? And live where exactly?" Hermione had not considered the fact that she would have to live on campus to preside as the Hogwarts librarian.

Minerva smiled gently, trying not to chuckle at her pupil's show of frustration. "You will be staying in your own private quarters which will be paid for and cared for by Hogwarts. Given the extended hours of the library, the Hogwarts librarian has always lived on campus. If this does not suit you, we may be able to make alternative arrangements, but Hogwarts would not be responsible for your boarding elsewhere. I'm sorry."

Hermione held up a finger as she took the information in. "There is no need to be sorry. I just did not realize that I would be completely changing my life by coming to work here."

Minerva grinned as she recognized the determination in the Gryffindor's eyes. "So, are we still on, or do you need time to reconsider?"

Hermione looked down at her hands. The fingers were too long and the fingernails were always painted when she looked like Lillian. She knew that Minerva needed an answer, but it was a lot to think about. She had just uprooted herself by moving to live with Andromeda. Now, barely a month later, she was considering another change of residence. "I would have the freedom to leave campus as long as it is outside of library hours?"

"Of course! You would be free to come and go as you please. You are no longer a student. You will not be held to the same expectations that the students are required to meet. Would you like to see the salary offer we have prepared?"

Hermione nodded slowly. Salary was of little concern to her. She knew that anything Hogwarts would offer her would be more than what Barold had been able to pay. Additionally, Hogwarts was also paying for her housing, so she no longer needed to worry about that expense.

The piece of parchment Minerva slid to Hermione contained only a number, nothing more. Upon seeing the number, Hermione placed the paper back onto the counter. "That offer is ridiculous, Minerva. Come back with something else, or I will have to leave."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "You realize that the offer is in addition to what we will pay for housing and food, correct? I may be able to gain a slight increase due to your heroism in the war, but..." The older woman trailed off as she saw the younger woman set her head on the desk. "Is something wrong?"

The younger witch shook her head adamantly before lifting it to meet her old mentor's eyes. "This is more money than some of the branches of the ministry offered me for an entire year. I cannot accept this amount of money for a job I will only work for six months."

Finally, Minerva understood and she tutted at the younger woman. "You realize that you will often be working more than twelve hours a day? And this job requires an excessive amount of training typically. The elevated pay is also due to the fact that you will be forced to learn everything on such short notice and move in a week's time." After she stated all of the more structured reasons for the level of pay, the older woman smirked before finishing her explanation. "Additionally, I like to think that Hogwarts pays its staff better than the ministry. I am pleased to know that I am not wrong in assuming that to be true."

Hermione laughed as she mentally did the math. The pay was not completely unrealistic, but it still felt as if it was overboard for a first year employee when considering the additional stipend that would be paid for food and housing. "This is still too much."

Minerva shook her head firmly. "You have two options at this point. You may reject the offer and go back to your old job or you may accept the offer and discuss with me what you will need for your quarters to be ready by Friday."

Hermione met Minerva's gaze with a glare. She knew how to play that game, as well. She had a few cards she could still play. "I will accept your deal on the single condition that whatever reparations are paid to my old employer come out of my salary."

"If your former employer requires financial compensation for your absence, I will make sure that a portion of the funds come from your salary. The exact percentage will depend on how much he requires to feel righted for his loss. Does that compromise suit you?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the older woman, attempting to decipher her intentions. When she realized that Minerva would do as she asked, she nodded her agreement. "Is there a document for me to sign?"

Minerva procured a scroll of parchment from her desk and began to write. As she wrote in black ink, each letter flashes gold before fading to the original black. "This is a binding magical contract. Should you choose to sign this, you will be bound to Hogwarts regulations until your tenure is expired. The only regulation I feel that I need to stress with you is this: there will be no fraternization between Hogwarts staff and Hogwarts students. You may not be found in students dormitories after hours. You may not have romantic or sexual relations with any students. This includes some students who may have been in your year. What you do after your employment with Hogwarts or after their graduation is up to you."

Hermione shook her head as the insinuation became clear. "Minerva, you don't have to worry about that at all. No one here knows who I am. I have no interest in starting anything with anyone here."

The older witch nodded in response. "Then that rule should be simple to follow. All of the rest are similar to what you experienced while you were a student. You are not a part of the staff rotation that patrols the corridors, but you are welcome to be in the corridors after hours because staff have no curfew. I only ask that noise is kept to a minimum after student curfews begin. If you ever need anything, you know how to find me. You will be provided with the password to my office as soon as you move in."

Hermione looked down at the parchment sitting before her. Every rule and regulation was on that piece of paper. Her salary and stipend allowance were also written in scrawling letters. She picked up the quill and looked at her old mentor one more time before nodding. She signed her name on the parchment and watched as the paper coiled back into a scroll. "So, that's it?"

Minerva collected the scroll and placed it in her desk drawer before meeting the gaze of her newest employee. "Yes, that just about covers it. Shall we discuss your living arrangements? You did not seem pleased with the idea of living here at Hogwarts." The older woman arched an eyebrow at Hermione, nearly demanding an explanation with her gaze.

Hermione looked away from the older witch, glancing around the room that was merely a larger version of the older woman's previous office. "I actually just moved in with someone."

Minerva sat back in her seat, slowly losing her professional persona. "And may I ask where this person lives? Or, better yet, with whom do you live?" The professor could not contain the smile that had begun to slip through her composure.

Hermione noticed the gleam in Minerva's eyes and laughed. "It is not what you are thinking. I have been staying with Andromeda Tonks for about a month now. She sort of found me while I was still working outside of London as Lillian." She gestured to her appearance. "I was working at a bookstore, and she came in one day. I recognized her, but I thought - for one moment - that she was Bellatrix Lestrange. That led to her figuring out who I was, and things went from there."

Minerva was only mildly surprised by that revelation. That certainly explained her comfort with the older witch at the Weasley's New Year's party. "Are you concerned that Andromeda will be upset with you for moving out so quickly after moving in?"

"I actually have no clue how she will react to that. I have not really spoken to her in a few days. We got in a bit of a fight, and I have been unable to speak with her since then." Hermione trailed off, ashamed of herself for storming out of their conversation, regardless of how much she disagreed with the older woman.

Minerva nodded her head, trying to be understanding when she did not entirely understand the situation. "You are not planning to release a horde of birds on her, are you?"

Hermione's eyes turned into saucers before the older woman. "How did you know?"

Minerva stood and gestured for the younger woman to follow. "Come now, Hermione. I may have feigned ignorance at times, but I often knew exactly what was happening with the three of you. That year in particular, I paid careful attention to the three of you. I could see the division and feared for all of you. The war was coming. You were all my cubs. It was of the utmost importance that I verified that you were all okay, or as okay as you could be."

Hermione followed the headmistress out of her office and recognized that the older woman was leading her towards the library. "That was a difficult year for all of us. I felt cast aside, but I know now that they had no intention of doing that. Harry had much bigger things on his mind with Dumbledore's task taking up so much of his time. And Ron..." She trailed off, realizing that she could finally smile at the memory. "Ron was missing his best friend and found comfort in the arms of Lavender. I think, in his boyish way, he loved her that year."

The pair did not meet a student or faculty member until they reached the library. Inside, there was a small cluster of students at a desk in a heated, but whispered, debate. There were multiple different colors of ties, and not one of the students appeared to be over the age of twelve. The younger woman inclined her head toward the arguing children.

Minerva led the new librarian deeper into the library before speaking. "That would be Lucinda Melvin, Isaiah Stevens, Melanie Bucksmith, and Troy Greengrass. They have caused quite a stir at the school this year. They are a group of first years. They are each admittedly, the brightest from each one of their houses. They sought each other out and have become quite the force to be reckoned with. Some of the older students did not agree with their inter-house relationship at first, but the seventh years put a stop to that nonsense early on. Ginerva Weasley actually played a rather large role there. She got together with the Head Girl and Boy, Josie MacDougal and Draco Malfoy. Did you know Josie? Her older sister, Morag, was in your year. They also have an older sister, Rachelle. She would have been a few years ahead of you, I believe."

Hermione felt her heart speed up at the mention of the MacDougals. Of course, she knew them. "Is Josie a Ravenclaw like her sisters were?"

Minerva grinned, pleased that Hermione remembered the family. "She is actually and quite proud of it. The three of them were very influential in changing the tone that this year took. Those four first years were the catalyst, but they were quite discouraged when they received some negativity from each of their houses. The older students pointed out that divisions between the houses caused more harm than good. They each worked inside their own houses to change that atmosphere. Now, I don't think anyone or anything could keep those four apart for long."

"I cannot imagine a Hogwarts where all of the houses were united in such a way. I think the closest we ever got to that kind of unity was in my fifth year when we ran D.A."

Minerva nodded, leading Hermione to the desk in the center of the maze of a library. "That group was notably absent of Slytherins though. Troy, like Daphne and Astoria, was sorted into Slytherin. He actually reminds me a lot of a younger Draco Malfoy."

Hermione scoffed at this. "Spoiled and selfish?"

"No. Intelligent with an overwhelming desire to prove himself. He walked in, knowing that the world was changing around him. First year or not, he knew about the war. His family stayed neutral, but that did not gain him any favor. He might be the sharpest mind of the four." They finally reached the desk, which was empty of personal effects. "This will be your desk for the next six months. Between now and then, I would appreciate it if you would sit for your NEWTs so that I can see about offering you a more long-term position here after this school year is over."

Hermione would be lying if she said she did not want to take her NEWTs, but she had no interest in being treated like a student again. "I will consider the offer." She slowly circled the desk before sitting down in the cushioned chair. "I think I could get used to sitting in this place again."

Minerva chuckled and conjured a chair on the opposite side of the desk and cast a silencing charm around them. "I am glad to know that you will be happy here. Now, will you be staying at Hogwarts?"

Hermione deflated and met the older woman's eyes. "I think I might. I don't really feel at home in Andromeda's house. I love being there with her and Teddy, but I feel like I am not living my own life if I am being honest. I stay in Nymphadora's bedroom and cannot help but feel like I am living a life that should have been hers. Andy treats me like a daughter."

"I see. Well, you have a home here if you would like to move here. As I stated, I think you would prefer living here considering the hours you will be working." Minerva latched onto her employee's last comment and raised an eyebrow. "And what of your parents? I heard rumors that you Obliviated them before what should have been your seventh year."

Hermione nodded slowly. "There is not currently a safe method of returning memories to one's mind. Torture is the only method that has been proven to work, and it is not worth hurting them. They are living happily in Australia."

"There may be a few books worth taking a look at in the Restricted Section for you then. I am not sure how much time you have spent researching, but there are definitely books on researched methods. I believe they have all been failures, but at least it will allow you to cross things off of your list?"

Hermione laughed at the older woman's insinuation that she had been searching for a cure. "Minerva, is that even a question? I have spent nearly every spare moment I have researching, trying to find a way to safely restore their memories. It would mean everything to me to be able to give them back their memories, but I won't risk hurting them more."

Minerva nodded, not fully capable of comprehending the pain that Hermione was experiencing. "Anything I can do to aid your research, I will gladly do. Now, I think you have matters to settle outside of the castle before you move in this weekend. I will have your quarters prepared for your arrival." The older witch stood and grasped the young woman's hand. "I am so happy to have you back in this castle. I know you will do well here."

Hermione took the obvious dismissal and grabbed lunch in Hogsmeade before flooing to the Tonks home.

When she arrived, she heard Andromeda singing softly to Teddy upstairs. It was nearly time for his nap, so Hermione was not surprised that they were absent from the main area of the house. She curled up on the couch and conjured a book from the library. She was nearly done with the chapter she had started when Andromeda came down the stairs.

The Tonks matriarch was mildly surprised to see Hermione in the living room, looking like Lillian. She had not seen much of the witch since their fight the previous week. She knew that Hermione was still staying at the house because she heard her moving around at times, but she had scarcely seen her. She had been avoiding the library in hopes of giving Hermione the space that she needed, but Hermione had not chosen to spend time in the living room since that morning. "Hermione, good afternoon."

Hermione looked up from her book, smiling slightly at Andromeda. She noticed her hesitance and lightly pat the spot on the couch next to her. "Hello, Andy. Come sit, will you?"

Andromeda approached the young woman and sat close to her, barely resisting the urge to pull her closer to her body. "I am sorry for pushing so much, Hermione. I did not mean..."

Hermione cut her off, lightly shushing her. "It's okay. I don't really want to discuss that right now. I have something I need to tell you." She turned towards the older woman and tucked one leg up between them on the couch. "I was offered a job at Hogwarts."

Andromeda's eyes grew wide, and she grinned as she grasped one of the younger woman's hands. "That is wonderful, Hermione. I assume you have taken the position?"

Hermione nodded slowly. "Lillian took the position, but yes. I took the position. I will be the Hogwarts librarian for the rest of the year."

Andromeda's smile only grew. "That will be a perfect job for you, but that will be a lot of hours. You probably won't be home very much, will you?"

Hermione's smile faltered. "That is actually what I needed to talk to you about. As a part of the job offer, Minerva offered to have me live on campus again as a faculty member. I am not required to live on campus, but it would be much more convenient to live on campus due to the surplus of working hours."

Andromeda frowned. "Did I push you too hard? Is that why you are leaving?"

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before looking back into the older woman's dark eyes. "No, Andy. I am not leaving because of our argument. I would not have even had this opportunity without you. This is a huge opportunity for me, however. I get to take my NEWTs, but I also get more time to figure out where I want to be in this world before I actually reveal who I am to everyone."

Andromeda squeezed the hand in hers. "You will still come visit us, right?" She did not think that she could handle losing the young witch so soon.

Hermione nodded firmly. "I will have weekends and some evenings off. We can also meet in Hogsmeade any time you would like."

Andromeda gave in to her urge to have the younger woman close and pulled her into an embrace. "I really am happy for you, Hermione, but I am going to miss you. It has been so wonderful to have you here with us."

Hermione gripped the woman tightly. "It has been great to be here, as well, Andy. You have done so much for me in such a short time period."

"Hermione, you know that you always have a home here. Teddy and I love you. You know that, right?"

The young brunette pulled back and looked into the older woman's eyes. "I do, Andy."

Andromeda nodded, her composure sliding back into place. She stood and kissed the young woman's forehead. "Good, then there is a lot to do before you leave. We need to pack, get you some new robes, and have a farewell dinner. When do you leave?"

Hermione chuckled as the woman's maternal nature took over. "I leave Friday."

"Sweet Circe, there is so much to do."