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AU not compatable with HBP or DH. SSHG pairing and non cannon character. Rated PG-13 for adult language/situations. A decade has passed since the golden trio graduated. The threat of Voldemort is gone, and Hermione returns to teach at Hogwarts.

I do not own Harry Potter. Damn.

AN: This is my first attempt at a HP fic. If you all want me to continue this forward, please review. I won't keep beating a flop to death.

Soft clicks from her heeled shoes against the stone floor resonated through the great hall as she entered Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. She took a moment here, closing her eyes and inhaling the scent and feel of the old school, remembering carefree times she'd had here as a student nearly ten years ago. So many things were bound to have changed; but it was still the same. Now she was returning to a place that was home, a professor, an expert in her field.

"Professor," The familiar voice of her old head of house greeted her. "Welcome back Hermione." Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, smiled at her former student. 'My, my… but what a lovely young woman you turned into.' Minerva smiled to herself. "You look lovely, Hermione."

Hermione Granger smiled fondly at the older woman, "Professor, you have not changed a bit since the last time we saw one another."

"Hermione, we are colleagues, I insist you call me by my name." Minerva looked over the rim of her spectacles. "Let me show you to your quarters before we chat with Albus."

After ensuring that her quarters were adequate, Minerva and Hermione talked with Albus Dumbledore about the upcoming school year. They had requested that Hermione come in June so that she may arrange her curriculum and get settled into her new role as Charms professor. The other professors would not arrive until August, but as the only new staff appointment this year, Hermione was receiving on the job mentoring from the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress. Her days were filled with selecting course materials and planning her classes for the year as well as continuing her personal research.

The day that the other professors were due back, Minerva informed her that there would be a staff meeting over lunch where they would announce her appointment to the school, and, if she wished as Head of Griffyndor House. Hermione graciously accepted this unexpected appointment with a little apprehension at working beside many of her former professors. Thus far Hermione had learned that the total number of staff changes that had been made was limited to her taking over for Filius Flitwick, and that a woman named Serena Arroya had taken over Arithmancy three years ago. Serena would also be assuming the duties as head of Ravenclaw. Serena had graduated Hogwarts four years ahead of Hermione, but she could not place the other professor from her school days.

As Hermione dressed for the meeting she briefly wondered how she would be received by Professor Snape, the ever surly and cantankerous Potions Master. She knew that she, Harry, and Ron had been the bane of his existence next to the Weasley twins and Neville Longbottom while she had been in school. She silently chided herself as she looked into her reflection. She certainly didn't look like a child anymore; her hair had tamed itself so that the chocolate brown locks flowed in smooth waves down her back, her figure had most definitely filled out, and she carried herself with confidence that was sure but at least more subdued than the resident know-it-all that she had been. She was no longer school girl who could be bullied by the likes of Severus Snape. Hermione smoothed the casually elegant midnight-blue robes over her figure and re-checked her make-up once more before heading to the great hall to reunite herself with her former professors.

By the time Hermione arrived, most of the professors were already present, with the exceptions of Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra. She smiled pleasantly as she greeted and was greeted by her new colleagues.

Severus Snape had been forewarned by Minerva to behave himself towards Miss—Hermione. He had been on the receiving end of a rather stern and lengthy lecture regarding his former pupil. Something about her not being one of his students anymore and her being rather respected as a professional in the rest of the wizarding world as a charms specialist. He wasn't really paying attention. He rarely did, but he was to busy agonizing over the fact that he had to 'be nice' to the brightest third of the golden trio. True, he had been duly impressed when he came upon several of the articles she had written on charms theory, but that was beside the point. She was still that know-it-all in his brain, and he couldn't adjust that quickly. When the person in question walked into the hall, however, he couldn't help but notice that she definitely was NOT a teenaged girl anymore. He was a little disturbed by the fact that he immediately gave her an appraising look, not as a colleague, but as a man measuring up an attractive woman. He was even more disturbed by the fact that he did find her attractive. 'Blast.' Severus mentally shook those thoughts from his head and managed to keep a neutral face as she made her way to him. 'Here goes nothing, be… nice' the very thought still made him want to retch.

Hermione had no choice but to greet the brooding potions master so she would not appear rude. She had already spoken to every other professor present. 'After all,' she thought, 'the man is truly amazing… his accomplishments are outstanding, he is incredibly intelligent, and he's sacrificed so much to still be ostracized… but he's probably going to snark at me. Here goes nothing.' "Professor Snape," She smiled kindly and extended her hand in greeting.

"Professor Granger," he acknowledged, taking her hand firmly but gently. "Welcome back." He was trying hard to stay neutral and… what had Minerva said, 'judge her professionally first then revisit the person. People change.'

Hermione genuinely smiled feeling slightly relieved as she looked into his eyes, "thank you. It's wonderful to be back."

Severus was rocked by what he saw when he made eye contact. Her eyes had the same look in them as he knew his did; the look of someone who was not innocent, who had seen too much. He was about to speak again when Albus spoke up forcing him to break physical and eye contact with the new professor.

"Welcome back, everyone! Please be seated so that we may begin."

After the new appointments were announced and business talk was finished, the professors began their meal. Hermione found herself seated next to Severus and Serena. She found that she immediately liked the other witch so when business was finished she and Serena struck up a conversation.

"So, Hermione, do you have any pressing engagements this evening?"

"Not really, I was going to finish some research that I'm in the middle of, but other than that nothing. Why?" Hermione took a bite of her food, trying to ignore puzzling over the way she saw Severus look at her earlier.

"Well its kind of a tradition that the teachers all go down to Hogsmeade tonight and get trashed." Serena finished the sentence matter-of-factly.

Hermione nearly choked on her food. That was not what she had been expecting. "Seriously?"

"Unfortunately." Severus deadpanned from her other side, but otherwise ignored her.

Serena's musical laugh floated around the hall. "Oh Severus, you know you enjoy it. But yes Hermione, seriously. We don't have much time over the school year to cut loose, so we usually go out a couple of times before the start of term."

Hermione looked around the table at the other professors, "Why not." She smiled to herself and finished her meal. When she was done and the teachers had been dismissed, she and Serena left the together chatting and bonding. After all Serena, Hermione, and Severus were the youngest members of the staff by a number of years. Hermione knew she was going to need a friend.

Once she and Serena were behind closed doors in Hermione's chambers, the women chattered away about everything from work to men and disasterous affairs.

"So Hermione, you seeing anyone currently?"

"Nope." Hermione chuckled shrugging. "I haven't so much as peeped anyone of the opposite sex in over a year."

"Sad. You need to get lucky then." Serena laughed at Hermione's face.

"And who do you suppose I should seduce? Severus?"

"Why not? He needs to get some too. Cranky bastard," Serena spoke the last bit tenderly.

"Ha ha ha, very funny." Hermione rolled her eyes, as she picked out clothes for that evening's festivities.

"Seriously, I think he fancies you. You should have seen him trying to lift his jaw off the ground when you walked in. He was giving you the 'come hither' look." Serena punctuated her last remark by mimicking said 'come hither' look.

"Right," Hermione threw a pillow at the other woman "the only professor in this school that absolutely hated—with a capital H—hated me while I was here wants to do the 'no-no tango' with me. Dream on cupid." Hermione settled on her outfit. A form fitting, low cut, set of deep red robes that were just shy of being too provocative. "What do you think?" Hermione asked as she twirled in front of Serena.

"Owww. Yeah, you're getting laid tonight! Poor Severus doesn't know what he's in for." Serena yelped as Hermione threw another pillow. "Ok, ok Sorry."

A few hours later with Serena dressed similarly to Hermione but in a rich royal blue, the pair made their way to the three broomsticks. "We're so late!" Hermione giggled as they approached the bar.

"Correction darling, we are fashionably late." Serena entered the tavern as a Diva would greet a crowd of adoring fans, before she pulled Hermione over to the tables where the other staff members were already drinking. "We're here!"

Severus couldn't help staring this time. She was gorgeous. Serena, he was used to. The Ravenclaw Arithmancy professor had always been…like this. Hermione, however, 'the years have been kind.' His eyes traveled slowly from her head to her feet and back up. His former student or not, he couldn't deny that Hermione Granger now had a sensuality about her that she wore as casually as another woman might wear a fragrance. He managed to snap out of his reverie for his manners to kick in and he stood as the ladies looked for a spot to sit.

Hermione felt herself blush slightly as she did take notice of Severus' gaze this time. When he stood, the other male staff members followed suit, Hermione found that the only two empty seats were by Pomona and Severus. Serena had just taken the spot by Pomona giving Hermione a devilish grin leaving her to sit by the potions master. She looked at Severus again who was still standing. She smiled coyly at him as he gestured to the seat on the bench next to him. She sat gingerly on the bench as Severus joined her. She smiled her thanks to him and for the first time she registered that he was not in his usual billowing black robes, but instead a black button down shirt and black slacks. The lack of yards of cloth covering his frame allowed her to see that his body was not scrawny as she had thought when she was a student, but lean and trim. He was skinny, but he had some muscle tone. She felt her stomach clench in feminine approval as she looked to his face. His eyes were intense on her face, watching her watch him. His black eyes were unreadable, but for the first time that she could remember, he seemed relaxed and almost friendly. She smiled at him again, "You look nice Severus."

A small smile played on his lips as he watched her. His baritone voice was like velvet, "you are radiant." He smiled again then turned his attention to the rest of the table. The Hogwarts staff was already letting loose and the alcohol was flowing freely. No one had noticed their little exchange. When Madam Rosmerta came to see to their drinks, Hermione ordered a glass of elven wine and Severus addressed the barmaid, "Rosmerta I'll take another Firewhisky, and put Professor Granger's drinks on my tab." Rosmerta waved her wand and the drinks appeared and Hermione looked as if she was going to protest. Severus smirked, "Hermione, a new professor never pays for their drinks, so, unless you are going to thank me, I don't want to hear it."

Hermione blushed again but replied all the same, "Thank you Severus."

Serena raised her glass and the staff quieted a little as the professor spoke, "here's to the start of another year, and also to Hermione. Welcome aboard!" After the staff toasted to her Hermione started to drink and became engaged in a debate between Severus, Alana Sinistra, Minerva, and Pomona over education values of the parents in the wizarding world.

"Honestly Minerva," Severus was leaning forward with his arms on the table, "if these dunderheads had parents that actually cared about the education that their offspring receive, many more students would be serious about learning; lack of interest in education by the parents, results in students not caring to learn. And now that the threats of recent years have subsided I think we will see more students dropping out after O.W.L.s."

Minerva shook her head slowly, "I don't think that is the case. A student will only learn if they, themselves, want to learn."

Alana nodded, "I agree. I think this trend is something to worry about, but we need to find ways to keep these students engaged in their studies."

"Yes and no." Hermione piped in and all heads turned to her. "Students will learn only if they are engaged in what they are learning, but Severus is right. Love for education starts at an early age. Most muggle parents leave their children to be raised by the tele now instead of taking the time to read their children a book or other such learning activities. This problem starts at home. But as professors, it is OUR job to engage our students and teach them passion for our respective subjects." As Hermione finished her point she looked directly at Severus.

Severus watched her argue her point. He was reminded of how she used to love to learn and how he belittled her for it. He suddenly felt remorse for how he treated her years ago. 'What am I thinking? I am actually feeling bad about things that happened nearly a decade ago. I was a different person then. Calloused. I was a downright sadistic bastard to her.' He withdrew from the conversation as he brooded quietly thinking about what an ass he truly was. Around students he still was 'the greasy git,' 'the overgrown bat' and now he sat here wishing he could change that but knowing he couldn't. In recent years he had taken strides to open up, but that was only to the staff members. Most of society shunned him still. 'I need another drink.' He signaled to Rosmerta for another refill.

Hermione noticed Severus withdraw into himself, inwardly she sighed and signaled for her third glass of wine. As she sipped her drink she observed he festive group. The professors were all well on their way to being three sheets to the wind. Some were already there. Hermione had to giggle as Pomona and Serena started singing pub shantes, she had to admit the elven wine was having an effect on her as well. She shifted slightly in her seat, leaning back on the bench and suddenly became very aware of Severus next to her. She glanced over at him cocking her head. Sometime in the course of her discussion with Minerva and Alana Severus had sat back and had let his arm drape on the bench behind her. Now that she was level with him, his arm was practically around her shoulders and she was becoming emboldened with alcohol in her veins she thought, 'there's no harm in flirting with a single, sexy co-worker is there?'

"So Severus," because of the alcohol her voice became slightly throaty and somewhat seductive. "How have you been? I didn't keep up with many people after…" She trailed off thinking that she was not a great flirt.

Severus looked over at Hermione as she purred his name. He smiled a bit as he noticed her cheeks were pink from the wine and that she had moved a little closer to him. "Well, I wasn't someone you probably would have wanted to keep up with, now was I?"

Hermione caught her lip lightly between her teeth before she answered. "No. To be honest, but you've changed somehow."

He smiled again as she seemed to puzzle over him "Oh?" He wasn't a fool. Its not everyday that a woman that looked like Hermione hit on him… well tried at least.

"Yes. Something is definitely different." Hermione cocked her head this way than that as if inspecting him from all angles. "You didn't cut your hair…at least you didn't change the style. You didn't get a new job. A new woman maybe? You are more…open" Hermione, emboldened with drink, took his left hand from the other side of him and looked for a ring before slowly letting her fingers leave his skin. "Not married." She continued to observe him.

"No woman; not married. Divorced." Severus watched her closely for a reaction.

Hermione looked into his eyes as he said that there was no woman he was seeing. She was about to comment when a din from down the table caught her attention. She laughed and as she did so leaned a little further into Severus. Serena had gotten ahold of a camera and was snapping pictures of random patrons creating quite a mess. "Serena! What are you doing?"

Serena made her way to their end of the table. She held up the camera, "Let me take your picture!" Hermione laughed and looked at Severus. He shrugged his consent and Hermione nodded to Serena. "I can't fit you both in the frame like that! Hermione sit on his lap so I can get a good one!"

Hermione slid onto Severus' lab and tingled with delight as his hands went to her hips to steady her.

Serena took the picture, "Aww, you guys look cute like that. One more!"

Hermione laughed and felt Severus chuckle as she relaxed against him. Serena got the picture she wanted and floated away again. Hermione found that she didn't want to leave Severus' touch. As if he could read her mind his hand squeezed her hip gently and he whispered into her ear, "Serena was never good at being subtle. I might think she was trying to set us up." Hermione shivered in delight as his breath tickled her neck. She slowly slid off of his lap, but just barely keeping her leg flush against his.

"Mmmmm, yes she was trying to convince me earlier that you fancied me." Hermione searched his eyes for some clue.

Severus cocked a half smile, "I thought you were a know it all, you figure it out."

Hermione smiled back and continued to subtly flirt with Severus all night. Light touches here, shy smiles there. Drawing him into conversations to maintain her flirtatious actions. Hermione judged when enough time and alcohol had passed her colleagues, where they wouldn't think anything of her going back to the castle before she turned to Severus. "Severus, would you escort me back to the castle? It getting warm in here, and I am ready for a quieter atmosphere."

Severus nodded. He signaled Rosmerta and paid the tab. He bid their colleagues good night as did Hermione, bugging off with the excuse of being tired.

Once outside Severus offered Hermione his robes. Nights were cool in Scottland even in summer. Hermione inhaled his scent as she was engulfed in his garment. His smell was so wonderful. Masculine, spicy, and subtle; not overpowering, sexy. As they walked Hermione took a chance and looking sidelong at Severus slipped her hand into his. He smiled and laced his fingers with hers as they walked in silence.

Once they reached the castle, Severus suggested a walk around the grounds. He didn't quite want to leave her company. Whether they were inebriated or not, he couldn't deny his attraction to her, and she was willingly returning his affections. A little way into their walk Hermione stopped and when he turned to look at her, he saw a fire behind her eyes. His chest felt tight at the sight of her like this.

Hermione's heart was beating rapidly in her chest. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her. To touch her. She felt a deep longing for him in her body, so when he looked at her like that it was al she could do to keep a demure distance. He brought his hands up to cup her cheek and stepped closer to her.

Their bodies were pressed together as he lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently, tentatively at first, caressing her lips with his. When she opened her mouth to invite him in, he savored her taste. Her hands snaked around his neck as he deepened their kiss, her hands tangling themselves in the soft hair at the base of his neck. As they continued to kiss, Hermione felt his arousal against her pelvis and was pleased to know he was just as excited by her as she was by him. He slowly broke the kiss, regretting losing the contact. As he pulled away Hermione's breathing was heavy.

"What's wrong?" She searched his face.

"Nothing," he caressed her cheek. "But I don't want you to do something you will regret tomorrow."

"I won't. Please don't stop."

"Not tonight." He kissed her again briefly. "Let me take you to your rooms."

He kissed her thoroughly on her doorstep, but refused to come inside. He didn't want to have a one night stand and told her so. He kissed her forehead, bid her good night, and told her to come talk to him in the morning.

Hermione closed her door as he walked away. She was frustrated, 'why?' She went through the range of emotions connected with rejection in her head. Was she not good enough? What was wrong with her? Even Severus didn't want her. She was too hysterical to realize he didn't say he didn't want her; he just didn't want her tonight. He didn't turn her down, he just didn't want to make a mistake. He had told her to see him tomorrow.