Author's Note: This is my first attempt at writing fanfiction. Please be kind. I would love any helpful criticism or ideas pertaining to the story. Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to J.K Rowling. None of it belongs to me, with the exception of any new characters I create.
Chapter One - A New Title
"Hermione Granger, Potions Mistress," she kept repeating the title out load to herself. All the hard work had paid off. After her graduation at Hogwarts, Hermione went to the university with the intention of studying charms and transfigurations. In her first year she took an advanced potions class, hoping to gain knowledge that would help her in the other fields. She excelled at a fast pace and surpassed all the expectations of Professor Williams. After the first term, Hermione received a letter from Prof. Williams, asking her to become his apprentice, and to consider studying for the title of Potions Mistress.
At first she dismissed the idea. But after a couple of weeks, she realized how much she truly enjoyed the mystery and precise science of potions. Out from under the unyielding eye of Prof. Snape, she was becoming quite a force in the field. Over the years, she learned how to recognize almost any potion from sight or smell. Prof. Williams realized after her first year under his instruction that she had reached beyond his knowledge. Hermione studied tediously on her own, experimenting with new ingredients and bringing a new aspect to the old science. She always had an open perspective, and never failed to look to the muggle world for new ideas. When she felt ready to take her final exams, she went with the intention of gaining the highest score in the history of the wizarding world.
All were proud of her and her accomplishments. She was now the youngest to ever hold the title of Potions Mistress. It was even mentioned in the Daily Prophet under the headline, "New Potions Mistress Wows Us All." The only annoyance was that she came in second on her exams. One man had beaten her; Severus Snape.
Hermione received numerous letters of congratulations and a few offers of employment. She glowed in the realization that her life was changing. She was now going to be a professional amongst the greatest wizards and witches to ever live. But one letter caught her attention; or more likely, surprised her completely. It was short and simple. But for some reason Hermione knew that there was more to it than what she read.
Miss Granger,
I would like to extend my congratulations concerning your new certification as Potions Mistress. It would seem that your brilliant mind has served you well, and given you acceptance into an elite society of scholars. Be wary of your limitations.
Professor Severus Snape
Potions Master
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
What was she to make of it? On the one hand, it would seem that he had complimented her and acknowledged her abilities. This was something that was extremely unheard of in the world of Prof. Snape. But, on the other hand, he made that biting last remark. Was he insulting her abilities, or simply suggesting that she was unable to acknowledge her own limitations? It was infuriating. After all this time, he could still provoke her to anger with simple words.
******
Hermione was wandering through Hogsmeade in an attempt to find her old friend Harry. Harry owled her immediately when he heard of her new title. He doted over her with the pride of a parent, and asked to see her soon. She was about to open the door to the Three Broomsticks, when she heard that all too familiar voice.
"Hermione! It's so good to see you." Hermione turned toward an ecstatic Harry running in her direction. She beamed with delight at his quick embrace and felt at home in that one moment. "Well, I guess I should be a little more respectful of the title, Potions Mistress." Harry bowed in an exaggerated way, and smiled when he saw the way he made her blush.
"Now don't you start. I'm still the old 'Mione you all know and love. Things have been blown out of proportion with that article in the 'Daily Prophet'."
"They're all just proud of you. You've beaten the odds and proven that a muggleborn can be just as great, if not greater than any pureblood." Harry opened the door to the Three Broomsticks and led her into a nearby booth. They both ordered a butterbeer and waited for their drinks.
"So, tell me, what's in your future?"
Hermione shrugged and grasped the cold outside of her drink. "I'm not really sure. I've been offered a few positions; all of great standing and prestige. One at the ministry."
"That would be perfect." Harry smiled at her news. "Ron, Ginny, and I could see you more if you were at the ministry. You know how much Ron and I miss you; but Ginny is simply lost without you to confide in."
"I miss her too. I've tried to owl her all the time. But it's never the same." Hermione released the hold she had on her drink and ran her fingers through her mass of brown curls; dampening the front few curls with the moisture from her glass. "I'm just keeping my options open at this time. Now that Voldemort is no longer a threat, I'm looking for a position that would give me freedom to experiment. I have so many ideas, and I hope to find cures to some of the lasting curses from the war."
"That's our 'Mione, always helping others and thinking of herself last. But you should really think about the ministry's position. You could do so much there, and you would have the added bonus of three best friends at your fingertips."
Hermione smiled at Harry's last comment, and took a long sip of her drink. She truly missed the times she had with her friends. Harry and Ron had joined the ministry's forces right out of school. They became instrumental in the defeat of Voldemort and were both famous in the wizarding world. Ginny had become a great quidditch player after her many years of watching Harry from the sidelines. She played for a couple of years and finally caught Harry's eye in her second year out of Hogwarts. They became an item quick and were inseparable. The only problem Ginny ever had these days was getting Harry to make that final step to commitment. But he always did do things in his own time.
Hermione was lost in a reverie of memories and missed moments, when Harry startled her out of her thoughts.
"Hermione, I really should be going. I have to meet Ginny in a few minutes, and she hates it when I make her wait." Harry stood up out of the booth and went to pull Hermione out of the booth. They hugged tightly and said their goodbyes. Hermione watched as Harry bounced from the Three Broomsticks in a happy state.
She knew that she had to make a decision soon. Her mind was full of options, and no real certainties. One thing was more important than all of it though; she wanted to find the happiness and fulfillment that Harry seemed to have. He was so easily content with his life, and unafraid of being less than what's expected of him. A decision would have to be made.