Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing except my own character, Muirgeann le Fay (Merissa Lovey), and all else belongs to the esteemed Ms. Rowling, who I thank most heartily for creating such a universe for all of us to enjoy and explore.

...

"Ms. Lovey, if you would please follow me, I'll give you a tour of the school, although you doubtless remember most of it." McGonagall invited. I nodded and followed, listening to her chat easily as I thought about how little different she was from when I had been one of her students. "This will be your classroom. Feel free to redecorate or rearrange it as you wish. Oh, look at the time. We'd best be heading to the Great Hall. You certainly need to be present for your own induction ceremony."

"It would be quite pointless without me, I should say." I replied, restraining a smile at her shocked expression. She's forgotten how quiet and controlled I was as a student. It might be a bit of fun if the others have too. Once we reached the Great Hall, I found that the school employees were all gathered at a cheery-looking round table at the front, Dumbledore sitting at the front of the room. He stood and smiled as he saw us.

"Good evening, Minerva. Welcome, Merissa." he greeted, holding his hand out to me. I shook it with a polite smile and he turned toward the other teachers and introduced us all. "Some of you may remember Ms. Lovey from her days here as a student, but I thought it would be best to reintroduce you all in the unlikely case that anyone has forgotten one of our brightest students. Merissa, would you like to say a word to your fellow faculty?"

"Thank you all for your cordial welcome. I hope to be a useful edition to the school." I replied before taking my seat between Sprout and McGonagall. Thankfully, Sprout seemed to need little encouragement to talk and I managed to speak very little while I listened politely to her many tales. Once it was getting late, Dumbledore stood and we all stopped talking to turn toward him.

"We'd best return to our quarters. We'll have a busy day tomorrow preparing for the Welcome Feast." he announced. A few teachers murmured their quiet assent. "Severus, as your quarters are closest, would you please show Merissa to hers?"

"It would be my pleasure." Snape said, his tone and expression sullen and irritated. "Follow me, if you would, Ms. Lovey."

"Of course." I assented placidly, following him as he left the hall walking quickly enough it was obvious he hoped to get rid of me as soon as possible. I see he hasn't changed any either. Of course, he probably doesn't remember me. It was only his first year as a teacher when I was a seventh year. He stopped and turned abruptly toward me in the dungeons, nearly making me run into him.

"These are your quarters. The next door leads to the school stockroom. If you need any assistance, the door after that leads to my chambers. Feel free to ask if you have need of anything." he informed me monotonously. Feel free to ask anyone else, you mean, Professor.

"Thank you for your assistance. If that is all, I will retire." I replied. He turned without a reply and I watched him escape safely to his own rooms before I entered mine. Well, I don't think he's very pleased that I've taken his old position, even if he's now got the class he wanted. Not that it matters. It's been a century and a half since the school has had a potions-mistress and it's time that I changed that.

...

"Harry, who is that? I didn't know we were getting a new professor." I whispered as we walked into the Great Hall for the Welcome Feast and I spotted a new witch at the teacher's table.

"I didn't either. I wonder what she'll teach." Harry replied, frowning at his lack of knowledge.

"She can't be more than twenty-five, twenty-six at most. I've never heard of a professor that young before and I know most of the history of the school." I whispered back. "Besides, doesn't she seem a bit unprofessional wearing twin braids? It's hardly a very mature look."

"Does it matter? I'd rather be thinking about what we'll have at the Feast than who'll be here." Ron said, rubbing his stomach as we sat down. I rolled my eyes and looked back up to the teacher's table to see the new professor twist her ash brown braids into a bun, pinning it up with her wand.

"That's hardly better." I muttered before her cool, slanted eyes settled on me from across the room. I looked away quickly, blushing.

"I'd stop trying to analyse her if I were you, Hermione. You'll have plenty of time for that once we know about her teaching methods." Harry suggested. I settled into my seat with my arms crossed until Dumbledore got up and began the welcome. Once all the new students were Sorted and welcomed properly, he sat back down, dismissing us to our meal.

"The Headmaster didn't even introduce her. That's odd, don't you think?" I asked, glancing toward the teacher's table again to see the new professor listening to some story Flitwick was telling her, her expression so cool and unchanging I wondered if she was actually listening at all until she gave him some small reply with the slightest hint of a smirk, making him laugh.

"Hermione, why don't you reread one of the textbooks? That always puts you in a better mood. You're going to ruin my appetite." Ron suggested before shoving half a biscuit into his mouth. Harry and I laughed.

"Yes, I'm afraid there's a great risk of that happening." I replied, rolling my eyes.

...

"Please form queues according to your Houses on the far wall." I instructed as the students began filing into my classroom. They gave me confused looks, wondering why I would have them do something like that, but obeyed readily. Once they were all present, I directed them in pairs to their appropriate lab tables, careful to ensure that no individual was immediately around another member of his or her House.

"Professor, this is hardly fair. I can't sit next to her." a blonde boy announced, gesturing toward the brown-haired girl that had been staring at me at the Welcome Feast.

"What is your name, sir?" I asked.

"Draco Malfoy, Professor." he replied, clearly unafraid.

"Please refrain from commenting against your potions partner, Mr. Malfoy. No seats will be changed and I will not tolerate any sort of argument." I informed him. He frowned as I turned my attention to the rest of the class. "Greetings, sixth years. I am Profesora Lovey, Potions Mistress. I suggest that you all pay close attention in my class and do your best. I will not tolerate poor behaviour or failure. Does anyone have any questions? No? Good. Mr. Malfoy, since I already know your name, please be kind enough to pass out these name cards and surveys. Once you have them, please fill them out according to the instructions on the surveys."

"Profesora Lovey, what is the purpose of asking our family history?" the brown-haired one asked. I glanced at her nametag before answering, turning my back to the class as I headed toward my desk.

"Family background has a rather significant impact on school performance, Miss Granger." I explained. Without turning around, I smiled to myself as I heard a few snickers. "Mr. Malfoy, do not mimic me. It would not be wise to irritate me on your first day of class."

"I would never try to cause any problems in class, Professor." he replied innocently. I sat down in my desk.

"You are to call me Profesora Lovey, Mr. Malfoy. I suggest you address me properly the next time you attempt to get yourself out of trouble." I told him. He was careful to hide his glare by working on his survey. The class worked silently, casting worried glances toward their friends and toward me when they didn't think I was paying attention. I stood just before the time for the class ended and approached the first row of tables. "You may bring me your surveys. Keep your nametags and bring them to class each day until I say otherwise. Once you have given me your survey, you are dismissed."

"Have a good day, Profesora Lovey." Granger said with a smile as she left, prompting a few others to murmur pleasantries as well. I sorted their papers and placed them in the appropriate folder on my desk before getting out the materials for the next class. Let's see if the second years are the same as their older counterparts.

...