Adoration (discontinued)

Chapter Three

Author's Note:
I hope you all are enjoying it so far and please leave a comment and vote!

Chapters 3 of 40:

Good Changes

The start of first term is just around the corner and the Professors of Hogwarts are all anxious for a new year Voldemort free. This would be the first year that Hogwarts reopened to its students after three years of repairs and renovations to the Castle.

Hermione couldn't wait to stand in front of her class of first years and teach them all the things she was taught in Charms. A lot has changed since the last battle, including a few rules that she wishes had changed while she was a student. These new arrivals will have a lot more freedom than she or her classmates were ever granted.

Now that there are no immediate threats to the lives of the incoming students, the only danger they could be in is if they ventured to the Forbidden Forest, which is if not completely, nearly impossible to access. With the repairs came walls around the school that stood ten feet tall.

Fluffy had even been removed from the school, much to Hagrid's dismay.

"I'll miss him." Hagrid sniffled as they watched the large three-headed dog being taken by Harry and a few other Auror's who promised to take good care of him on their way to Romania where Charlie Weasley had swore to Hagrid that he would treat him as he did one of his own dragons.

Not only will the students be safer they are also allowed more access to the Library, much to Madam Prince's dismay. Yes, these new Hogwarts students have a lot more freedom than Hermione and her class would have ever dreamed to have.

Headmaster Lupin has even had a new area built just for the students free time, which they had more of. A large court yard just outside the front doors where picnic tables, benches, trees, and gaming tables had been arranged.

Without quite as much prejudgement, a few muggle activities had even been added for the new muggleborn who had received their letters.

Yes, this new year at Hogwarts would be different, for the better.

"Professor Granger!"

Hermione jumped out of her train of thought and looked back behind her where Neville Longbottom was nearly tripping over his feet to catch up to her on her walk around the Black Lake.

Hermione stopped in her tracks and smiled as Neville came jogging up beside her, looking very fatigued.

"Neville, I have already told you there is no need for formalities while we aren't in the presence of any students." She told him, patting his shoulder as he bent over to catch his breath.

"I keep forgetting because Professor Mcgonagall said that we needed to get into the routine of calling each other professor in front of each other so we will do it in front of the students." Neville puffed, his face beet red.

"And what is it that has you jogging out to meet me on my stroll around the Lake?" Hermione asked, waving a cooling charm over him, which made him smile in thanks.

"Well, the Headmaster has called a last minute meeting between everyone and asked me to fetch you." He explained, wiping the sweat from his brow. The day was already hot, she could see the waves of heat coming from top of the cobblestone on the path around the Black Lake, another part of the renovations.

"Well lets make our way there, you can tell me about your first fun lesson on our way." Hermione said and they began the trek up the cobblestone path towards the castle which wasn't so far away.

Neville beamed down at her and started on his rant about his Herbology lessons he has come up with.

One thing about being a Professor that Hermione finds she can't quite stand is the MEKs, which is Magical Essential Knowledge, something the ministry produced last minute before the beginning of this summer. Standards each student must meet before the end of each year. This is something they already had but has been very much forced into the Professors lesson plans, making it harder to plan the year out correctly without constant interference from the ministry.

As the duo made it into the meeting room which was already filled with all the Hogwarts Professors, magic and muggle subjects all surrounding a large table and chattering about.

"Well, my seat is just across from yours so I'd better get there before the Headmaster enters." Neville said, touching Hermione on the arm lightly with a smile before moving to take his seat between Madam Houch and one of the newest Professors, Professor Fletcher.

Hermione let her eyes move around the room before she moved to take her own seat, most faces she was very familiar with and others she had never seen before in her life. It had only been a week since she got settled into her quarters between Professors Mcgonagall and Black, so she hasn't had much time to get acquainted with all of the new faces she saw now on this room.

As she passed several Professors to make it to her seat right beside the head of the table where Remus will be sitting, she smiles and nods to them all and finally takes her seat between Professor Mcgonagall and the empty seat.

"Hermione," Sirius said, gaining her attention from across from her, "I'd like you to meet Thomas Fletcher, he's a muggle studies Professor, he teaches what the muggles call maths."

Hermione smiles over to the man, who has to be her age or a bit older. He wore big black glasses that hid two dark hazel eyes.

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger." She said, reaching across the table to shake the mans hand.

He smiles, "I know who you are."

She raises her eyebrow at him.

He snorted, "I mean, you're Harry Potters friend so I obviously know who you are."

She nods, "I can't say that I know you, pardon me, what made you want to teach at Hogwarts, Professor Fletcher."

"Thomas here is from Ireland, his mother taught him what he knows, homeschooled." Sirius cut in, clapping the chap on his back, "His father was a friend of Remus'. He has a degree in maths in the muggle world and an education in potions in the Wizarding world."

"Sirius please, dial it down." Professor Fletcher said, his cheeks reddening, "I highly doubt this information is of any interest to her."

"I find it quite fascinating, how were you able tend to both types of educations at once?" Hermione asked, leaning on her elbows on the table.

"I was homeschooled for the magical part of my education and I went to university for my muggle half." Fletcher said, pushing up the glasses on his nose.

"Really?" Hermione asked, leaning back in her seat, "Which university?"

"The University of Dublin."

"Nice, I've been to Dublin a few times, it's a beautiful place." Hermione said.

Just then the door to the room opens and there, a man she hasn't seen since the Battle of Hogwarts. Severus Snape, although he doesn't look anything like she expected.