Chapter 7 - Surprises
3rd Week of August, Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft
Hermione was at her desk, in her quarters, writing on a piece of parchment the lessons that she was planning for the second quarter of school. Several books were stashed on her desk as well and she occasionally consulted one of them as she planned what to write next. She was already done with the first quarter and she wanted to finish the next one and show them to the Headmistress for approval. She was almost done when she heard her stomach grumble. She looked at her watch and groaned. It was almost 1:00PM. She dropped her quill and rubbed her sore neck and hands. She had been writing non-stop ever since she had woken up and had forgotten to even have breakfast. She was so excited about writing her lesson plan even though the first quarter lesson plan wasn't even due for another couple of days.
She stood up and stretched, arching her back to relieve the tension. Then she walked towards her standard kitchenette, grateful for the foresight of her predecessors, and rummaged around looking for something to eat. When she found nothing that she wanted, she decided to go to the Great Hall to see what the house elves had prepared. That way, she would also be able to Minerva for some advice about the new method of teaching she wanted to do for her subject.
She walked out of her quarters and strolled leisurely towards the Great Hall, still not believing that she was in Hogwarts again, but this time, for a different purpose. She greeted several portraits and ghosts she met on the way to the Great Hall, and had a very interesting meeting with Peeves, the poltergeist.
She saw him by the hall of armors, fiddling with one of the knights, making them do rude gestures while cackling wildly. When Peeves saw her, he immediately flew to her, eager for a new victim and said, grinning maliciously, "My, my! What is a lovely lady student like you doing here on a summer day?"
Hermione smiled sweetly and answered, "Well, Peeves - for your information, I am now a Professor in this school and not a student anymore, so if you don't want me to go get the Bloody Baron after you, I suppose you better piss off." She smiled one more time and headed on her way.
She felt Peeves following her and knew he was up to no good. Before Peeves could react, Hermione got out her wand and pointed it to Peeves. With her back turned at him, she conjured a piece of gum and thought, "Wadiwasi." Without warning, the gum shot right up at Peeves' left nostril. Peeves cursed loudly and went away all of a sudden. Hermione turned around to see Peeves making a rude gesture towards her before turning into a corridor. She chuckled. "Ah, thank you Remus for that wonderful itsy bitsy spell," she said to herself and continued on her way.
Arriving at the Great Hall, she saw that most of the Professors were still there lunching and talking. It was so much more peaceful without the students around yet and Hermione smiled. She knew she would just love this job, teaching at Hogwarts.
She walked towards where Minerva and Filius were chatting and sat down beside her favorite mentor. Minerva smiled at her when she noticed her sitting beside her. "Miss Granger, I trust that your first week back is all going well?"
"It's Hermione, Minerva. Weren't you the one who told me that you call everyone here by their first names?" she said and started to get some beef pot roast from across her. "And yes, my first week back is very well, thank you. I have several matters to go with you though about the way I would handle the class I would be teaching. I'd like you to see if they will be ok."
Filius chuckled. "She's getting the hang of it, Minerva. I'm sure she will fit right in here."
"I have always fit in here. This is my home for the better part of my life," Hermione replied. "Well - when I met Harry and Ron, that's the time I think I really started to fit in," she added as an afterthought.
"I meant as a Professor, Hermione," Filius said, chuckling once more and trying to grab an apple from across him without success. He sighed. "If only Hagrid was still here, he would have…" he trailed.
Everyone fell silent. Hagrid was among the ones who perished during the war, protecting Harry from a spell that was supposed to hit him in the back. Yes, he was half-giant and most minor spells and jinxes would have no effect on him whatsoever. But even a half-giant wasn't a match for an Unforgivable. When the green light hit him square in the chest, he collapsed with a loud thud causing Harry to turn and see his very first friend drop dead. Harry blamed himself for a while after the final battle, even though he killed the Death Eater that killed Hagrid.
Professor Flitwick got his wand out and was about to summon the apple to him when no one wanted to take Hagrid's place of handing him his apple. To his surprise, Hermione stood up and grabbed it for him. "Thank you," he said quietly as he started to bite the apple.
After a period of silence, Hermione broke it, not standing it any longer. "I was meaning to ask you, Minerva. I was wondering who will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor this year. When you introduced me to everyone last week, there wasn't a DADA teacher present," said Hermione, looking up at the Headmistress expectantly.
"He will be here soon, Hermione. He was supposed to come here last week like you but wasn't able due to some personal reasons, as he said in his owl," the Headmistress replied. "And I trust that you would get along with him since you are both Hogwarts graduates and he is also one of the best in his year, even with the circumstances in his time."
"Do I know him, Headmistress?"
Minerva made a non-committal noise and continued on eating her blueberry pie. Hermione looked at her mentor suspiciously but shrugged it off. Minerva may not be Albus Dumbledore but Hermione knew that she wouldn't be making the worse decisions. She was next to Dumbledore after all.
When Hermione was done, Minerva summoned her in her office for the discussion that Hermione wanted to have regarding the way she wanted to handle her class. After a couple of hours, she emerged from the Headmistress' office with a big smile on her face. Her proposition just got approved.
On her way back to her quarters, she heard some clattering in a distance like someone was having trouble with something. Curious, she walked towards the noise and was startled by what was making it. Or rather who was making it.
"Malfoy? What in Merlin's name are you doing here?" she asked incredulously, eyeing the pieces of luggage trailing behind him and how the house-elves immediately appeared to take it.
Draco Malfoy looked up from where he was standing and smirked upon seeing Hermione. "Granger," he acknowledged. "I could ask you the same thing. Is the Headmistress in her office?"
Hermione just nodded and without a word, Draco sauntered off towards Minerva's office, leaving the house-elves to care for his belongings and an astounded Hermione.
"He couldn't be who I think he would be, could he?" she asked herself and walked back reluctantly towards her quarters.
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Once Hermione was sure that Draco wouldn't be with the Headmistress, she decided to ask her what Draco Malfoy, of all people, was doing in Hogwarts. He couldn't be the new DADA teacher, could he? She wasn't even sure that he excelled in said subject. Well, she was busy studying herself and watching out for Ron and Harry then to notice anyone else in the class anyway.
She was sure that Harry would have been a better candidate for the job. Why then didn't the Headmistress think of Harry first? He was a good teacher - the D.A was a proof of that. They all learned a great deal in DADA during their D.A time than when they were learning it in the classroom.
So what was the deal in hiring Malfoy for the DADA position?
"Animagus," she muttered the password as the gargoyles guarding the entrance sprang to life and admitted Hermione inside the Headmistress' office. Once at the door, she knocked lightly before entering after hearing a soft, "Come in."
Minerva looked up from her writing and removed her glasses upon seeing Hermione. "Ah, Hermione. I was expecting you. Please have a seat."
Hermione took a seat and compared it mentally to the usual soft chintz chairs that Dumbledore had before. The one she was sitting on was high-backed and really hard.
"I knew that you would come to me immediately after seeing Mr. Malfoy in our premises," Minerva continued.
Hermione gaped at her. Since when did she become so Dumbledore-ish? "How come you knew that I knew Malfoy was already here?"
"He told me he saw you before he came to my office," she replied. "And I knew that you would come to ask questions after that. Now, I suppose you would like to find out now why I contacted him to be the next DADA teacher."
"Headmistress, I ask that you reconsider this decision you did, seeing as how Malfoy was the main reason as to how Death Eaters were able to infiltrate this school a couple of years ago," said Hermione. "He might have reformed his ways as of last year, but do you think that that would have been enough reason for him to teach at this school? How can we be so sure that he wouldn't turn out to be another Snape?" she added with conviction.
Minerva just listened to her as she voiced out her concerns. She glanced at Dumbledore's portrait for assurance and found him sleeping, much to her dismay. She sighed and looked back at Hermione. "I have faith in him, Hermione. Just as much as Harry tried and placed his trust on him the past year. And how Dumbledore thought he could also be redeemed. I hope you won't question my decisions after this," she said with finality.
Hermione was quiet for a few seconds. Sensing that their meeting was over, she started to rise and turned towards the door. However, she turned back and blurted out, "Why didn't you choose Harry for the position instead? He would have been better than Malfoy."
"I considered him for that, Hermione. As a matter of fact, I first offered it to him. He flatly refused. Saying he needed to do something else for the meantime and gather himself. I understood, although I waited for a while before offering it to Mr. Malfoy. I thought maybe he would change his mind but he still wouldn't take it."
Hermione considered asking why Malfoy, of all people, was the next person in line after Harry. She could have offered it to Remus again but remembered that he was entrusted by Harry to handle the trust funds that Sirius left for him. As well as the other things that Dumbledore and his parents left for him, which took most of Remus' time anyway. She shook her head to herself, said her goodbye to Minerva and exited.
On her way out, she bumped into the one person that she was questioning at the moment, momentarily losing her balance. Acting on reflex, she quickly got her wand out of her arm holster and pointed it at none other than Malfoy. Upon realizing it was him, she slowly lowered her wand and replaced it back on her holster.
Draco had both of his arms in the air in a look of surrender. "Whoa, Granger! Still feisty as ever."
"You can never be so sure, Malfoy," she replied, a bit indignantly. She was about to turn away when Malfoy said, "So Granger - who knew we would be working together again and here at Hogwarts nonetheless?"
Hermione turned back and answered haughtily, "First of all, we never worked together when we were students. If I remembered correctly, you were - hmm, let's see - taunting us who you think were lower than you. Mudbloods, half-bloods and blood traitors, I believe you called us. And if you consider our last year to be `working together?' I doubt it. Sure, you were with our side, but that didn't mean we were `working together' as you aptly put it." Then she turned away from him again and walked away. "And just because Harry was somewhat ok with you hanging around with us last year didn't mean that I agree with that!" she added.
Draco was stunned at Hermione's outburst. He knew that she could talk back like that and especially to him but he was still surprised. Before she could get away, he ran up to her and caught up. "Granger! Wait! Granger! Hermione!"
Hermione stopped walking when she heard her name. She waited until Draco caught up with her before facing him. "That's the first time you called me by my first name."
Draco shrugged and answered, "Well, there is always a time for firsts. Anyway, I want to offer you a proposition."
Hermione looked at him expectantly, crossing her arms across her chest. Draco took a deep breath and said, "I want us to work together, this time around for real. Since we will both be here at Hogwarts for quite some time, I think that it would be best if we stop this `taunting' between us and start having a truce. So what do you say?"
Hermione gaped at him as he said that but shrugged in the end. "I guess." Draco grinned and for the first time, Hermione was able to see what Ginny saw in him. He was pretty good-looking without that usual smirk he had in his face. She smiled back, although hesitantly at first and started to walk. Draco walked with her. "So," started Hermione, trying to start the truce with a conversation, "why you? For DADA? Wait, let me rephrase that - what made you accept the position for DADA? I mean -"
Draco raised a hand to stop her. "Professor McGonagall contacted me. I knew that she talked to Potter first about this position and knew also that he refused. I don't want to take this position, really - but seeing as I have no other options, I decided why not?"
"Why don't you have any other options?"
"I'm a Malfoy and the Final Battle with Voldemort happened just a couple of months ago. No one really knew I was working for the Light side. Connect the dots, Gra - Hermione."
Hermione nodded, quickly comprehending. "But won't you have a hard time teaching here since like you said no one knew you were working for the Light side? The parents of some of the children might not want someone whom they know as a former Death Eater teach their kids."
Draco grinned wryly. "That's all well and taken care of by McGonagall. Don't fret about it, Hermione." He raised his robes from his left arm and showed it to Hermione. "And I don't have the mark like most people believe."
Hermione looked at him questioningly and he continued, wincing a bit as he said, "The task of killing Dumbledore was supposed to be my initiation. And you know I didn't succeed with that."
Hermione nodded once and looked back to the front, walking once more. "So when Minerva contacted you, you just said yes?
Draco nodded. "Because even if my name still carries something in the Wizarding World, which is not really good, by the way - no one would want me. And I needed the money. As you very well know - my father is dead and my mother is out of her mind. The fortune that should have been mine had gone to waste."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Malfoy - er - Draco," replied Hermione, still feeling new to saying Draco Malfoy's first name.
"No. I deserve it," he said.
"But how come you landed this position? Last time I heard - you were best at Potions."
"Slughorn is still the Potions Master here, Hermione," he replied dryly. "And I have a long way to go before I reach that. As for why DADA? I'm not the best but I'm decent at it."
"But won't people question you for it? You know - it's Defense against the Dark Arts, Draco. And you are well-known for not really defending it but pursuing it."
He shrugged. "I don't care what people think now. People can change and I think I've proven that last year although not a lot of people knew that. I don't care if I scare the wits out of the younger students and if I get sneers and threats from my former housemates which I'm sure I'll get. I'm here to prove something to myself and to someone as well."
Hermione didn't lose the way Draco said `someone' and knew that he was talking about Ginny and her family. She suddenly admired the way he was trying to be brave and face this task that will be before him. "But when did you start excelling in DADA? Sure you were training with us last time, but I haven't really seen you go at it. I mean, for real. No offense meant."
He grinned wryly and said, "Of course you won't because it looked like I wasn't paying attention in class during my Hogwarts years and the training but I assure you that I study hard for it, for everything. I would have bagged the Head Boy badge if I didn't do that blasted thing back in 6th year."
Hermione scoffed and rolled her eyes. Some things never change. And one of them is his arrogance.
"Seriously, Hermione," he continued. "I trained and learned everything I can with you people and Potter back during our last year. Remember those times that Potter told you that he was going to have another go and get into the more special training since he would ultimately be the one to kill off Voldemort?" Hermione nodded. "Well, I trained with him. Even though he didn't want me there. I needed catching up since I wasn't as skilled as Potter or you and Weasley in Defense. And he needed a practice dummy there." He added the last bit with a smirk.
Hermione remembered now how Harry would still stay after their rigorous training saying that he still needed to try out something with Remus and Tonks or whoever Auror was present training them. She remembered always seeing Draco remain behind not leaving with both her and Ron. She didn't think about it then but when she thought about it, Draco dueled with Harry all the time when she looks back, with Harry always winning though.
"You trained with Harry and learned all the other things that our trainers back then were teaching him?" she asked
"Yes, I did. The only bad thing about that was that I have to keep my hood up all the time. That was a hard task, you know - hiding my good looks from everyone just so the Dark side doesn't know that I'm working for you."
Hermione rolled her eyes once more and shook her head at the comment Draco made about his good looks. They finally reached her quarters and she turned towards Draco. "Well…Draco, thank you for walking with me and enlightening me somehow with your explanations as to why you are here."
Draco smiled genuinely and answered, "Appreciate it as well, Hermione." And with that, he walked away, presumably to get settled as well in his own quarters.
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Ron was walking towards where he presumed Hermione's quarters was at Hogwarts, remembering where the house-elves turned to bring her luggage, after having just Apparated at Hogsmeade. He had a day-off from training and decided to pop in and give Hermione a surprise visit. Harry was supposed to be with him but unfortunately, Anderson, his superior, Floo-called at the last minute and needed him at the Ministry. So off he went alone. Plus, he was sure that Harry would find time to visit Hermione before school started. Alone. He grinned at the thought.
Turning into a corridor, he heard Hermione talking with someone and walking away, her voice getting fainter by the second. Assuming that she was off to her quarters, he followed her voice and whoever it was that was with her. Turning towards their voices, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Hermione talking with none other than Draco Malfoy. What in Merlin's name is he doing here at Hogwarts and why is Hermione all of a sudden talking with him without someone going for a wand?
Finally, he heard them say their goodbyes and Hermione entered her quarters. Ron stood stock still and was startled when he realized that Malfoy was walking towards where he was. Once Draco was near him, he blurted out, "What are you doing here?"
Draco looked up and was startled when he heard someone speak to him in that fashion and was even more startled when he saw that it belonged to Ron Weasley. "I could ask you the same thing, Weasley. What are you doing here?"
"I asked you first."
"I work here. Or rather - I will be working here," he replied smugly.
"Since when did you work here?" asked Ron disbelievingly.
Draco scoffed and smirked at Ron. "Didn't you hear what I just said? I will be working here." And with that, he walked past Ron and back to his own quarters.
Ron immediately walked towards where Hermione had gone into after recovering from the shock of seeing Draco in Hogwarts together with Hermione. Once in front of the painting wherein he had seen Hermione go in, he knocked and was surprised when the portrait of a previous young Hogwarts Transfiguration professor, he assumed if the books and other things on her table that were changing back and forth were any indication, said indignantly but primly which reminded him of Hermione, "Hey! Watch where you're knocking your fist. And I don't think the young lady would like to be disturbed now." But then, he remembered that he was in Hogwarts. Stranger things happen. He was just taken by surprise and wasn't able to comprehend that it was a portrait he was knocking into immediately.
He heard some ruffling from behind the painting and a muffled "Coming!" and finally, the portrait swung inwardly on its hidden hinges revealing Hermione in her casual shorts and tee. Ron grinned when he saw her with her hair in a messy bun and there was ink on her hands. She obviously didn't want to waste time and not work. "Hey, `Mione,"
"Ron!" Hermione squealed, jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ron laughed when Hermione launched herself at him and wrapped his arms around her as well. When he placed her down, Hermione led him in her quarters and they both took a seat in her couch facing her bed.
"Wow. I never thought our professors lived in this fashion. This is very comfortable," commented Ron as he slouched and took a look a round. "And you have your own kitchen, too!"
Hermione rolled her eyes but chuckled nonetheless. "I knew that that would be the first thing that will catch your attention in this room." She stood up and went into the kitchenette to prepare some juice for them. "Where's Harry?"
"He was supposed to come with me but Anderson called him in. And don't worry, he will get his time with you," he said. "Alone," he added grinning.
"What are you talking about, Ron?" she asked. Ron just shrugged and continued grinning at her. Hermione rolled her eyes, sat beside him and gave him his glass.
After taking a big gulp, Ron asked, "What is Malfoy doing here, by the way? And since when were you talking with him like you're friends?"
"He's going to teach DADA and he offered to have a truce since we'll be working together."
"He's WHAT?!"
"Teaching DADA."
Ron spluttered. "How - ? When - ? Why - ?"
"Honestly, Ron. You are overreacting," she said taking a sip and placing her glass on the table in front of them. "Ok, I didn't react well too this morning when I found out but I was able to talk to him and found out the real reason as to why he is now the DADA professor. Harry was Minerva's first choice though and when he refused, she thought of having Draco. He trained more with Harry too after we finish our regular training, if you want to know, that's why Minerva thought he is going to be ok with DADA."
"He trained more with Harry? And Harry was McGonagall's first choice? How come we didn't know all of these?" he asked, shaking his head.
Hermione shrugged, mentally noting about asking Harry, the next time she sees him, why he didn't tell them about Minerva's offer. "I only learned all about this now, too. Minerva has a good reason why she hired Draco."
"And you're now in a first name basis with Malfoy as well?! What has happened to the world?" asked Ron, sighing heavily.
"Oh, hush it Ron! You are really overreacting!" And the afternoon progressed peacefully between the two friends.
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Later that night, Hermione was lying on her stomach on her bed, reading To Be An Animagus: A Basic Text. The day was full of surprises. First there was Draco and then Ron visiting her. She smiled as she remembered both incidents. It was a good day. She closed her book, got up and stretched before taking a glance at the picture on her bedside table. She smiled once more. The picture was of the three of them when they were in their 4th year before Harry found out he was a Tri-Wizard champion, which Collin took.
In the picture, they were in the common room, lounging by their favorite armchairs by the fire. Ron and Harry were goofing around and she was reading at one side occasionally glancing at her two then boys. At one point, Harry glanced at her and smiled which she returned then Ron threw a pillow at him that he dodged and which landed at her. The picture ended there and started at them goofing and her reading.
She smiled at the memory then sighed. She's missing Harry. Not that she didn't want Ron. She was glad he came this afternoon but she wanted to see Harry more. It's been just a week and she's missing him, er - them already.
She started to go to her bathroom and stopped by the door. She sighed and ran a hand through her bushy hair. She wanted this job, she really did. But sometimes, it was just -
"Are you having second thoughts already?"
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(A/N: All my love and appreciation to the wonderful work that my beloved beta, Lady Starlight, did on this chapter. And love all those reviews that I keep getting from you guys. I read them all, just haven't got the time to reply to each of them. Hope this chapter is cool with all of you!)
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