Chapter 8: Professors Granger and Potter
A/n: Instead of keeping at the steady pace in the progression of this story, I've decided to take a giant leap, and you'll see why soon! Happy reading, please review when you're done!!
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Life is a road
And I want to keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you
- `At the Beginning' by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis from the movie Anastasia
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Harry found Hermione standing by the window behind McGonagall's desk, looking out over the grounds. She wiped away another tear.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah right, Hermione, people don't just cry over nothing."
"It's just that - seeing your parents and everyone in the past, they were so happy. It's just sad that - they're all gone. They all died much too young." Harry didn't know what made him do it, but instinct just took him over to Hermione and to wrap his arms around her. It wasn't until after he was giving Hermione a hug that he really realized what he was doing. He never initiated hugs in the past, it was always Hermione. This must not have come to Hermione's mind, for she didn't indicate anything about it. She just leaned her head on Harry's shoulder, and wiped another tear away.
"That's what war does. People die too young when it comes to wars. But they believed in the cause they were fighting for and were willing to die for it. They were all willing to die to make the world a happier life for all of us. Remus told me that."
"He did? When?" Hermione said, lifting her head from Harry's shoulder and looking him in the eyes.
"In the forest, right before I went to meet Voldemort. The Snitch had the Resurrection Stone inside it. When it opened, my parents and Sirius and Remus came out. We talked about Teddy, how I was sorry that he would never know Remus. And he told me that he hoped Teddy would one day understand why he died, and that he died to make the world a better place."
"You never told me that." Harry shrugged.
"It was a minor detail in the whole big picture of the situation." Hermione smiled through her tears.
"Well you were the same as your parents and Sirius and Remus then. You were willing to die for all of us to make the world a better place. They'd be proud of you." Harry smiled back but didn't say anything.
"I wish I could be happy. Like your parents in that memory."
"You can. Maybe after Ron stops being a prat, you can forgive him and move on from all of this." Hermione shook her head.
"I wouldn't be happy with Ron, I know I wouldn't. It's not because of him, but because of the both of us. We don't belong together. He deserves better. Someone who he knows he loves, not who he thinks he loves. Here, I want to show you something. It'll prove why Ron and I are not meant to be together." Hermione led the way back to the pensieve and put her wand to her temple and slowly extracted a silver strand that was her memory and placed it in the basin. The colors of the memory swirled around forming the shapes of Hermione and Ron. Hermione nodded at the basin.
"Go ahead." Both she and Harry stuck their hands in and were again pulled into the pensieve. In Hermione's memory, there were Ron and herself standing in the garden of the Burrow.
"So you're staying there? For good?" Ron asked Memory Hermione.
"It's not like that."
"But you're over there all the time."
"I'm helping-"
"Is that really why you're there? Because of Teddy? Or is it because of Teddy's godfather?" Hermione glared at him but didn't answer.
"You know, Hermione, I never thought you'd be like this."
"Like what?"
"Toying with people's emotions."
"What? I'm not toying with people's emotions!"
"Yes you are!"
"Even if I was, which I'm not, you have no right to lecture me for it, you did it all sixth year!"
"Ok, I will admit that in sixth year, I did the same thing, trying to make you jealous by going out with Lavender, but now you're doing the same thing to me by spending more time with Harry. But this is lower, he's my best friend!"
"I cannot believe that you think I'm doing this to make you jealous! I am trying to be a good friend by being there for my friend when he needs help. The fact that I'm spending time with Harry has nothing to do with you!"
"Yes it does, because the more time you're spending with him, the less you're spending with me. We're supposed to be going out, remember?"
"Well, if you don't like this situation, then why don't you end it?"
"That's your solution? To just end it? Why don't we work on this?"
"I'm not sure if I want to work on it, Ron. Do you honestly think this could work?"
"It can work. It has to work, it's us. We're supposed to be together."
"And where did that idea come from? Who set that rule that we have to be together?" Ron didn't answer right away, and shifted his weight back and forth from foot to foot uncomfortably. Hermione said impatiently, "Well?"
"Well, it's just that for years people have been saying that we'd end up together."
"Like who?"
"Like… people."
"If I believed what people thought, Ronald, I'd either exile myself from the wizarding world or be with Harry right now. I've heard plenty more about the two of us than I have about you and me."
"Well, my mum is one who always said that we should get married, and that Harry and Ginny should get married too so it'll be-"
"Be one big happy Weasley family, I know, I've heard that before. Just because your mother wants it that way doesn't mean it should be. And I refuse to believe that she would want us all to be together if we weren't happy." Ron mouthed wordlessly, not being able to come back with anything. Hermione took a deep breath and said more calmly, "Can you honestly say you love me?"
"Of course," Ron said right away.
"Really, Ron? You're not just saying that?" This time Ron hesitated.
"No, I'm not just saying that. Don't you love me?"
"Honestly?" Hermione sighed. "No." Hermione almost cringed after she said it. The word sounded cruel, no matter how she could say it.
"That sounded harsh, Hermione," Harry said to present day Hermione.
"I know, but I was being honest, I don't love him." Ron looked hurt.
"I'm sorry, Ron, but that's why this can't go anywhere anymore. You deserve someone so much better, someone who loves you with all her heart. And she's out there, Ron, I just know it." Ron nodded. "I really am sorry, Ron." Hermione put her hand on Ron's arm and he pulled it out of her reach.
"You know, I hope he breaks your heart," Ron said bitterly.
"What?" Ron didn't answer, just Disapparated away. The memory ended there, and Harry and Hermione were pulled out of the pensieve. Harry was curious as to who Ron said he hopes breaks Hermione's heart, but didn't want to ask. He had a feeling he knew who it was. He looked at Hermione, waiting for her to say something, but she didn't. At least not about the memory they had seen, but she did say something.
"We should probably go, we've got to finish getting things ready for tomorrow," she said, looking at her watch. Harry nodded in agreement and they both left McGonagall's office.
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The students were due to come from the train in five minutes. Harry, Hermione and Teddy had joined the teachers in the Great Hall, seated at the front table, waiting for their students to arrive. That nervous stomachache had settled in Harry's stomach, and it looked as though it had settled in Hermione's too. She was looking out at the empty tables, deep in thought.
"You know, it's strange to see all this from a teacher's point of view."
"Yeah, isn't it weird that this time two years ago, we were out there as students, and now we're teachers?" Hermione smiled and nodded. There wasn't time to really say anything more, as the students were on their way into the Great Hall, chattering excitedly and milling around before taking their seats. Once they were seated, little Professor Flitwick came forward carrying the Sorting Hat, the group of first years following him, looking around the Great Hall and up at the enchanted ceiling with awe. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. Both were remembering their experience as first years, and it seemed so long ago. Professor Flitwick began calling names, and each student nervously made their way up to the Sorting Hat and sat down on the stool as it was placed on their heads. The amount of time it took to get the first years sorted would've had Ron complaining about hunger pains, even Harry was beginning to get a little hungry, and he knew McGonagall still had a few words to say before the feast started. Once the last student was sorted, McGonagall stood, each pair of eyes on each student in the Great Hall were fixed on her.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I am glad to see that so many of you have chosen to continue or begin your magical education regardless of the events that happened here last year. Hopefully we will have a good year, now that the era of darkness has passed. There are a few things I would like to say about this year. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students, hence the name `Forbidden'. Our caretaker from previous years, Argus Filch, is no longer with us, and his successor is Mr. Bickle. He's posted a list of forbidden items on his door, though it's not as extensive as Mr. Filch's list." Harry glanced back at the caretaker in the back of the hall. He looked almost as mean as Filch was. McGonagall went on, "And along with adding Mr. Bickle to our staff, we also have three new teachers. First, is Professor Eckley, who will take over our Muggle Studies classes. Second, is Professor Granger, who will be teaching Transfiguration, and last but not least, Professor Potter, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Let's give them a welcoming round of applause." There was applause, along with muttering among the students, talking about their new teachers, particularly the two youngest ones. "And well, that's all I have for now, so let the feast begin." The gold plates and dishes filled with food, a murmur of awe coming from the first years. Everyone began eating, talking amongst themselves, chattering about anything and everything.
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The first day of classes dawned bright and sunny. Not being able to sleep any longer, Harry ended up waking at 5:30. Rolling over in his bed, he looked over at Teddy's crib and noticed the baby sitting up in his bed, playing with his feet. Putting on his glasses and throwing back the covers, Harry got out of bed and went to Teddy's crib.
"Hey there, little squirt, what are you doing up so early?" Teddy grinned and stuck his arms out to be picked up. Harry lifted him out of his crib and they sat back down on Harry's bed. Harry set Teddy down and handed him a couple toys to play with. There was a knock at the door and Harry called to whoever it was to come in. Hermione entered, still in her pajamas and dressing gown. She smiled at the two when she came in.
"Good morning, early morning pajama party?"
"Yep, care to join us?"
"I'd love to." Hermione sat down next to Harry and tickled Teddy's toes, who giggled and kicked his foot out of her reach. Harry then tickled Teddy's other foot, and the baby squealed with laughter, kicking his feet. The baby giggled and laughed as his godfather tickled him, causing both adults to laugh along with him.
"You know, Harry, I don't think it's fair that Teddy's the victim here. You should pick on someone your own size."
"Who, like you?" A horrified look crossed Hermione's face.
"No, no, that's not what I meant." Harry grinned mischievously.
"That's what it sounded like." Hermione put her hands up, the scared look still on her face.
"No, Harry, don't please."
"Well, you were the one saying I should pick on someone my own size…" Harry said as he tickled Hermione's side, making her shriek.
"Harry, no! Stop!" Harry kept tickling her, and Hermione dived out of the way, but Harry grabbed her arm and she ended up pulling him with her, and when she fell over on the bed, he fell with her, partially on top of her. Both were laughing hard, trying to catch their breath. Hermione sighed and let out a little laugh.
"Don't you think we're getting too old for these games?"
"Probably, but you're only as old as you feel, I suppose."
"Yes, I suppose." Hermione smiled and noticed that neither one of them was moving from their currant position. It certainly should've been an awkward moment, but it wasn't. Harry looked into Hermione's brown eyes, and the soft look on her face. He again did something that he had never done with Hermione before. He leaned down and kissed her. And the strange thing of it was, there was nothing in his mind telling him not to do it, it was as if the rational side of his brain shut off, and the part of his brain that easily got caught up in the moment took control. It wasn't a real passionate kiss that you read about in fairy tales, but just a soft, feather light kiss. Hermione slowly opened her eyes and for a moment Harry could see that she had gotten caught up in the moment too, but in a heartbeat that look had gone from her face and the look that replaced it showed that she had realized the awkwardness of the situation they were in. Placing a hand on Harry's chest and gently pushing him away so he'd take the hint and get off of her, she pulled herself up and slid off the bed. Running a hand gently over Teddy's blue hair, she kissed the top of his head and then left, without a single word to Harry. After the door had shut, and Hermione had left, Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, mentally kicking himself for what had happened. He looked at Teddy who was smiling back at him.
"I made a mess of that, didn't I?" Teddy just giggled and his hair turned orange.
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Hermione went back to her flat and when she shut the door, she sighed and leaned against it, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. She kept replaying what had happened over and over in her head trying to figure out how she ended up kissing Harry. Or that he kissed her. She also kept replaying every detail of the kiss, making sure to remember everything about it. It wasn't one of those fiery kisses you read about, but the fireworks were still there, regardless that it was just a light kiss. Hermione was sure that had she been standing, she would've gone weak in the knees and fallen over. Hermione took a few deep breaths and bit her lip in thought. She needed to not think about it right now, she had classes to get ready for.
Hermione's first two classes had gone by without a hitch. She had had first years and fourth years. Right before lunch was the class she had been dreading all day long: seventh years. And her anxiety had grown even more since the events of that morning. She was sitting at her desk in front of the classroom when the bell rang signaling that her next class was about to arrive. Hermione glanced up from her notes every time a student came in, and she could feel the bottom of her stomach begin to drop when Luna Lovegood and Ginny walked into the classroom. Ginny had a sour look on her face, clearly she didn't want to be there, but Luna had her typical dreamy look, and when she placed her books on the desk, she came up to Hermione's desk.
"Hermione it's good to see you again, oh, wait, Professor Granger."
"It's good to see you again too, Luna. Glad to see you're taking my class."
"Ooh, I'm excited for it, Professor Potter's class too. It'll be nice to have familiar faces as teachers this year."
"Well, thanks, Luna."
"Are you nervous?"
"No," Hermione replied in what she hoped was a convincing tone. Luna smiled encouragingly and went to take her seat next to Ginny, who scowled at Hermione. The last student was seated just as the tardy bell rang, and Hermione stood up to address her class.
"Welcome to seventh year Transfiguration. As you all probably know, I am Professor Granger, and I look forward to working with all of you this year. Now, I am not Professor McGonagall, so the things we do in this class may not necessarily be the same way she would've taught it, but I hope you'll give me a chance anyway. And I'm sure we'll have a good year this year. I have a syllabus for all of you," Hermione began handing them out. "And it's tentative; it can change as the year goes on, depending on how quickly we go through things." Hermione continued handing out the syllabi, and stopped short when she heard a cold voice.
"Well, hello there, Granger." Hermione's jaw dropped when she saw who spoke.
"Malfoy? You're- you're in this class?" Malfoy smirked.
"Obviously you haven't checked your class list close enough. That's surprising though, I thought you were so anal about everything that you wouldn't have missed that." Hermione closed her mouth and her eyes narrowed. Not paying any attention to the class that was staring at them, watching everything that was going on. Hermione placed her hands on Malfoy's desk and leaned forward a little, dropping the volume of her voice to a dangerous tone.
"You may have been in the same year as me since we were eleven, maybe you're even older than me, but I am your teacher, and while you're in my classroom, you will show me the proper respect or you'll find yourself in detention." Malfoy smirked again.
"Well, then I'll just have to watch my step, won't I, Professor." Hermione stepped away, and finished handing out the syllabi and went back to the front of the class. She stopped again when another voice, a female one this time, spoke.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I sure wouldn't respect a teacher like this one." The class, if possible, got quieter.
"Ginny!" Luna hissed at her friend. "What are you doing?" But Ginny ignored her.
"I mean, seriously, who would respect a thief…traitor…and two timing backstabber." Everyone's jaw dropped. Hermione bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath, willing herself not to let her anger out.
"Ginny, if you have a problem with me, I'll ask you not to bring it into this classroom. Discuss it after class."
"Whatever you say, Professor," Ginny said sarcastically. Hermione flicked her wand at the chalkboard and the chalk magically began writing. There was a rustle of paper as people went for their parchment and quills. Hermione went on with her lesson, but the shakiness in her voice would not go away.
"Alright, so seventh year Transfiguration…"
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"Hey! Weasley!" Ginny stopped when she heard her name, and turned to see Draco Malfoy following her.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ginny said coldly.
"Easy there, Red, I'm on your side." Ginny laughed.
"Yeah right, why should I believe you? Why should I believe a wizard that for years has done everything to become a Death Eater?" Draco lifted his left sleeve and showed Ginny his forearm. But there was no Dark Mark like Ginny suspected.
"Do you see the Dark Mark here? I never was a Death Eater."
"Either way, why should I believe you're on my side?"
"Because I think it's ridiculous that Granger and Potter are teachers too. And I believe that they are-what was it you said? Two timing backstabbers?"
"No, Hermione is the two timing backstabber and traitor and thief, Harry is just caught up in her lies and is doing what she wants." Draco laughed.
"I'm sorry, I may be on your side, but I refuse to believe that Potter has nothing to do with this. But I will help you; help you do whatever it is you feel you need to do to get them back for their betrayal."
"Really? You? Would help me? That's the last thing I'd ever here you say."
"Well, I'm still saying it."
"I might take you up on that then, Malfoy."
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"So how did the first day go?"
"Fine, yours?"
"Fine, until my third class of the day," Hermione said, pulling Teddy's hands away from her hair. She was lying on the couch; her legs propped up, Teddy sitting on her stomach. She handed him a toy to keep his hands occupied so they wouldn't attach themselves to her hair.
"What did Ginny do?" Harry said, taking a drink of the water in his hand.
"Well, said she couldn't see why any of them would respect me, and called me a thief, traitor, and a two timing backstabber." Harry's jaw dropped. He then closed it and rolled his eyes.
"Well, that was mature of her." Hermione rolled her eyes too.
"Tell me about it." All of a sudden, Teddy burst out laughing and fell back; Hermione's bent legs catching him. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then at Teddy and laughed.
"Well, that was random," Harry said, still laughing. Hermione stopped laughing and gave Harry a look that said she had something serious to tell him.
"Harry, how closely have you looked over your class lists for your classes?"
"I don't know, I haven't memorized it or anything, just glanced of them, I suppose. Why?"
"Because Ginny's not the only one who will cause problems in the seventh year class."
"Why, who else is in that class?"
"Remember when McGonagall said that there are some students returning for their seventh year because they weren't able to last year? Well, Malfoy is one of those who've come back." Harry dropped his glass, and it clunked to the floor, spilling water all over.
"Malfoy is back?"
"Yeah, and even though we saved his skin twice last spring, he's still the same conceited prat that he was when we were in school together."
"What did he say?"
"He called me anal, and couldn't believe that I missed the fact that he was in my class. Nothing real bad, he mostly was just trying to look down from his high and mighty throne that he still thinks he's sitting on." Harry got up and went to his desk in the corner of the living room. Digging around in one of the drawers he pulled out a piece of parchment and looked it over. He sighed.
"Damn, I have Malfoy in my class too."
"When do you have seventh years?"
"Tomorrow morning."
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A/N: Hmm, I suppose there's a good spot to stop. Sorry I've been taking so long to update, life is hectic, I'm so busy at times. Hopefully during breaks I can get a lot of writing done!! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it!!
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