True Love Ways

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Hermione left Neville after promising to catch up later with both him and Luna and found herself outside Minerva McGonagall's office. She watched Neville walk away and smiled. I bet he was a brilliant Professor of Herbology. Neville was kind and fearless and understanding - the perfect qualities needed to be a teacher. Bringing herself back to the task in hand she knocked on Professor McGonagall's door.

"Come!" The door swung open. A small witch sat behind her desk, her half moon glasses were perched precariously on the end of her nose. Her face was lined and older than Hermione remembered. She'd clearly suffered the ravages of war as much as anyone else. After a moment she looked up and upon seeing Hermione leapt from her desk and came round with the lightening speed of a much younger woman. "Hermione!" She effused. "Oh dear girl how wonderful to see you!!"

She embraced Hermione with the same enthusiasm as Neville. "Hello Professor!" Hermione returned the embrace equally as warmly. "It's so good to see you"

Minerva wasn't as diplomatic as Neville and spoke with an almost audible sharp intake of breath as she held the young witch at arms length. "My dear" she said "You need feeding up! You're far too thin! What has that awful man done to you??" Now in full McGonagall flow she didn't give Hermione a chance to respond "He needs hexing into next year! The blaggard! I'm so glad you wrote to me Hermione " her tone softened to her quiet Scottish lilt "You know your home is always here girl."

Hermione smiled back at the woman who had been like a second mother to her. "Thank you Professor. It's so kind of you to offer me the job. I won't let you down. Transfiguration was always my favourite subject". Minerva nodded at her.

"Well you certainly had a talent for it - did you look up the notes and syllabus I sent you?" Hermione nodded back.

"Yes I'm confident I'm up to speed with it all but I'm sure I'll still be asking you lots of questions."

"My door is always open and you can always speak to Professor Snape. He's my deputy now and I'm sure will be more than willing to assist you".

Hermione faltered a little at the mention of his name "How is P-Proffesor Snape?" She asked tentatively. Minerva's eyes flicked to Hermione's.

"He's ok" she replied and it looked to Hermione that she was struggling with her thoughts "He has his demons, Hermione. Don't we all?" Hermione felt a lump come to her throat. Minerva continued. "He missed you when you left, girl. We all did..."

.o0O0o.

Hermione unpacked her trunk and sat on her bed. The walls to her chamber had been decorated to her specific instruction and were swirls of light pastel colours. Her room was bright and airy and a large window overlooked the Quidditch pitch. She smiled looking at the group of youngsters having a raucous game outside. A few years ago she'd have been out there watching Harry and Ron and Ginny and others flying around on their broomsticks. She'd never particularly enjoyed participating in the game but liked watching her friends play. She tapped the wall with her wand and muttered the word 'Tempus'. Six O'clock shined on the painted brick work. Hermione flicked a comb through her now sleek locks - the unruliness of her youthful hair now a thing of the past - and reapplied her lipstick and left her chambers to make her way to the great hall for dinner. She smiled as she passed one of the resident ghosts 'Nearly Headless Nick'. "Hello Miss Granger!" He smiled, doffing his head "How lovely to have you back!"

"Thank you Sir Nicholas" she replied, still not quite used to seeing his head and innards at a very peculiar angle "It's good to be back!" She carried on walking and the ghost watched her departing figure. He let out a low, appreciative whistle as he ogled her backside in her tight jeans and loose fitting silk blouse.

"Oh if I were 100 years younger and not dead" he sighed to himself "What I could do to her...". His thoughts were interrupted by a man in a long black frock coat and cloak bursting through him. "Watch it Snape!" He admonished. "I may be dead but I'm still here you know!" Snape just sneered and carried on walking at an unyielding pace toward the Great Hall. He had no idea his world was about to be turned upside down.

.o0O0o.

Hermione felt all of her stress leave her when she walked into the Great Hall. This was home and oh so familiar. She momentarily wished that Harry and Ron were with her but stifled an excited giggle when Neville waved to her from the Top Table. She raised an arm back and strode up to meet him. He gave her a quick hug when she arrived and several other Professors greeted her warmly and she took an empty chair that was offered to her. She looked around for the one face that was missing. Severus. She took a deep breath in. Had Minerva told him she was coming back? She bitterly regretted losing touch with him throughout the last few years. She'd really missed him. A thought crossed her mind and she involuntarily brought her hand to her mouth with an almost audible cry. What if he was married? Or bonded? Why would that make her feel so.... so strange? Was she feeling jealous?? No that couldn't be it. Severus was her friend. Just her friend. She shook her head as if to rid herself of such thoughts and turned her attention back to Professor Flitwick. Presently, a slight hush fell on the room. Without turning round she instinctively knew HE was here. She just knew it. Even as a young girl you just KNEW when Professor Snape was near. Hermione felt butterflies and checked herself for these feelings. He was just a friend. "Get a ruddy grip H" she uttered to herself.

Severus had stopped in the doorway and his eyes fell immediately to the top table. The extra person at table must be the new Transfiguration Professor. Severus raised a lip slightly in a small sneer as he appraised the back of the clearly female teacher. She was in conversation with Flitwick and he hoped to sidle into his seat, unnoticed thus negating the need for protracted greetings and introductions. But she seemed to notice him softly approaching the table for she turned and greeted him with a warm smile. He stopped dead in his tracks and his stomach flipped.

"Hello Professor" she stood from the table and walked towards him. "Long time, no see" she grinned. Severus could only stand there, completely still, his mouth dropping slightly and his dark onyx eyes squinting in disbelief. She embraced him briefly but he was still too shocked to offer any kind of response.

After a few seconds Hermione could see him regaining some of his composure and a dark cloak fell behind his eyes. "Miss Granger" he spoke, matter-of-factly. "You have.... returned".

His coldness threw Hermione a little and she felt like she'd been smacked in the stomach. "Yes" she smiled "here I am. I'm your new Transfigurations Professor. You seem surprised? Didn't you know?" She looked into his unfathomable eyes.

"Ob....viously not". Hermione didn't really know what to say.

"Oh". Oh. That was it. Oh? Come on H, you daft bint say more than Oh! She chided herself.

"Perhaps." He continued, not taking his eyes away from hers for one second "You could join me after supper for a meeting about your forthcoming....probationary....period?"

Hermione nodded. Wait a minute! What Probationary period? Minerva had never mentioned a probationary period to her. I bet this is just him being bloody awkward.... Her lips thinned "Of course Professor. Pleasure". She broke his gaze and turned back to Professor Flitwick.