1A Series of Fortunate Events

Chapter One: The New Potions Professor

Voldermort had been defeated a year ago. Harry Potter continues to be the Boy Who Lived, although he wasn't much of a boy now. He is nineteen and living on his own in Grimmuald Place. No longer does he have the boyish features of his school days: his body is very muscular from all the Quidditch playing, his face has slimmed out and is very defined, and he no longer looks the awkward child that he once was. He is currently teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at his favorite place ever, Hogwarts. He is dating the love of his life, Ginny Weasley, and plans on marrying her immediately after she graduates. He can now starting living his life and he wants Ginny right there with him. Ginny had grown into a lovely woman. She has long fiery red hair that is full and straight and rests beautifully on her shoulders. Her body is long and slender with just the right amount of muscle. She has bright blue eyes that manage to melt everyone's heart and a personality that is just as dramatic as her hair. Of course he also has Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger by his sides. Ron Weasley plays Quidditch for the Chudley Cannons and lives with Harry at Grimmuald. He too has grown into his looks and is incredibly attractive and still has funny as ever. He's been seeing a girl from the team for about six months and is the sweetest boyfriend imaginable. Hermione Granger has changed dramatically. No, she's still as studious as ever but she's relaxed quite a bit and realizes that there's more to life than books. She's taken over Transfiguration since McGonagall is now the Head Mistress at Hogwarts. Hermione has discovered the beauty of makeup and flattering clothes. She now wears her hair in loose waves that cascade down her back. She wear just the right amount of makeup to bring out her gorgeous honey colored eyes and a lovely shade of pink lip gloss. Sadly, Hermione hasn't found that special someone to care about, not that she's overly concerned about it. Her friends; however, want to change that and this story is about Hermione finding love with the help of her friends.

Hermione headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Another exciting day was ahead of her, she loves Mondays because she gets to work with the fifth, third, and first years. For whatever reason those were her favorite years to teach. Plus she gets to work with the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students. As she headed down the hallway she was unexpectedly surprised by two hands that quickly covered her eyes.

"Guess who." a voice whispered in her ear.

"Hmmm," Hermione mused playing along, "Could it be Harry?"

Harry laughed and removed his hands, "You could at least try to get it wrong."

Hermione smiled at him, "You know I hate being wrong."

Harry rolled his eyes changing the subject, "Did you get the letter from McGonagall?"

"You mean the one about hiring a new Potions professor?"

"Yeah...I wonder who it is?"

"That's a good question. I still can't believe Snape is retiring." Hermione opened the doors to the Great Hall.

"Yeah, but I'm not complaining." Harry shrugged. Snape turned out to the be on the good side but that still did not change Harry's personal feelings toward him (although he had warmed up to him quite a bit).

"True, but he's so talented." Hermione took her seat to the right of McGonagall while Harry took his seat next to Hermione.

"Am I right to assume the two of you are discussing Professor Snape's retirement?" McGonagall joined the conversation.

"Yes, we're trying to figure out who could possibly replace him." Hermione responded.

"Well I have one person in mind." McGonagall shared with them, "And he will be coming here tonight for an interview and I'm hoping you two will be there."

Harry and Hermione gaped, "You have someone already? We just found out Snape was retiring last night."

"Oh well I've known since last month that Snape was interested in retiring but I was trying to convince him to stay. However, as I'm sure you know, once Snape's made up his mind there's no changing it. Well, now that's it been a full month I figured I should start looking. Luckily, my top choice has said that he's interested in the job and was able to move his schedule around for an interview."

"Well I can be there tonight." Harry said sipping his orange juice.

"So can I." Hermione confirmed, "What time is the interview?"

"Eight pm."

Later that day Harry was going to his office to grade some papers when he caught up with Ginny on her way to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Hello Miss Weasley." Harry smiled (While inside the school Harry and Ginny had to maintain a teacher-student relationship).

"Hello Professor." Ginny greeted.

"How's your day going?"

"It's going great. Did you know that Snape is retiring? He told us that he's not coming back after break."

"Yeah, McGonagall sent us a letter last night. Apparently he's been wanting to retire since October."

"Oh wow. Do you know who's replacing him?"

"No idea, but Professor Granger and I are going to an interview tonight with someone who's applied for the job."

"I hope it's a guy." Ginny commented.

Harry looked taken back, "And why is that, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny smirked, "Because maybe him and Hermione could date."

"Oh. Ok that's fine then." He smiled at her, "But I really don't think Hermione's interested in dating anyone."

"Pfft. She's an adult, she wants to settle down." Ginny said matter-of-factly, "Maybe we should set her up on some blind dates."

"But she knows everyone I know." Harry laughed.

"Well, we could get Ron to help us out and you know...some other people could help us out to."

Harry shrugged, "I'd rather stay out of this whole thing."

Ginny pouted, "Well after you meet the new Potions professor will at least consider helping me set them up?"

Harry smiled and rolled his eyes a bit, "We'll see. I gotta run now and grade some papers before dinner and the interview."

Later that night Hermione was in her chambers getting ready for the interview. She had just gotten out of the shower and was putting some mousse in her hair to keep the waves from frizzing. She sat down in front of her vanity and looked straight into the mirror.

"This doesn't make any sense." Hermione sighed, "I'm smart and nice and loyal and brave and pretty...and yet I'm still single." She shook her head and her long hair splashed water all over the mirror. Hermione made one last glance at the mirror and the water droplets quickly disappeared. She got up and made her way to her closet to pick out an outfit. McGonagall said they did not need to wear robes, muggle clothing was perfectly acceptable. Hermione was thankful for that since she had fallen a bit behind on her laundry and planned on doing it later while she was on hall duty. She pulled out a pair of fitted brown pants that flared at the bottom and a pink sweater that hung loosely around her shoulders. She grabbed a pair of brown sling backs and threw her hair up into a bun with a few pieces framing her face.

Hermione headed out of the portrait hall and waited for Harry. After a few moments Harry appeared wearing incredibly casual clothes, "harry, are you sure that's entirely appropriate?"

Harry shrugged, "She said we didn't have to wear robes."

"But I don't think she meant you could wear what you would to do Quidditch practice. This is a job interview after all."

Harry laughed, "Hermione, we already have the jobs remember?"

Hermione made a face but smiled nonetheless, "Let's go meet our new professor."

Harry and Hermione linked arms and made their way to the Head Mistresses office. Upon arriving they were surprised to see that they were the only professors there.

"Is anyone else coming?" Hermione asked.

"Just Snape, he should be here very shortly." McGonagall motioned for them to take a seat.

Just like that the door opened and Snape floated into the room (I always thought how cool it is in the movies that Snape just seems to float with his robes dancing across the floor). He took his seat next to Hermione and the two of them chatted for a little while until they heard a knock at the door.

"This must be him." McGonagall said smiling, "You may come in."

Hermione could not believe who walked into the room. He was tall but slightly stocky with red hair and a mischievous grin- Fred Weasley.

"Fred?" Harry and Hermione said in unison.

It had been months since Harry and Hermione saw Fred. Ever since the war ended everyone had become so busy starting up new lives that Harry, Ron and Hermione hadn't even spent summer at the Burrow. Fred and George had expanded their store so that there were now more than 30 in all of Europe. The last Hermione had heard was that they were thinking of going overseas.

"Greeting ladies and gentlemen." Fred grinned throwing in a bow. However, when he bowed he couldn't be hold his eye contact with Hermione. He still couldn't believe that the gorgeous woman in front of him had once dated his brother and used to be the little girl with the incredibly bushy hair that he and George use to play pranks on. Fred hadn't seen Hermione or Harry for that matter since the war ended. But even then he had discovered what a gorgeous woman Hermione was. And now that he was seeing her in the flesh once again he still couldn't believe it.

Fred walked over to the group and took the seat in between Harry and Hermione. Both of whom were still sitting there with mouths wide open.

"It's great to see you, Fred." Harry said finally closing his mouth.

"You too." Fred said smiling at Harry.

"It's been far too long since we saw you." Hermione smiled at Fred.

"Well, hopefully we'll be changing that." Fred winked at Hermione who could feel herself blush slightly.

After their initial greetings McGonagall proceeded with the interview. She even revealed some stuff that Harry and Hermione found shocking. Next to Hermione Fred had received the highest scores on his Potion OWL's. Hermione couldn't believe that she had never realized that, after all the twins pranks required a high level of skill and potions works. Snape remained silent for the whole interview, Hermione was pretty sure that he really didn't care who took over his position and that's why McGonagall had asked her and Harry to come, they actually did care who taught here. Hermione (and Harry) had always thought that as wonderful as Fred was he had a tendency to be rather immature. But throughout the course of the interview Fred proved himself to be rather responsible and a gifted wizard. Harry and Hermione wholeheartedly supported McGonagall's decision to employ Fred. It was decided that he would start in a couple of weeks, to give him time to sort everything out with the store and such. Much to Fred's amazement McGonagall even offered him the position of Head of Slytherin. She hoped that he might be able to change the stereotype, Fred happily accepted the challenge.

After the interview Fred, Hermione, and Harry made their way to the Kitchens to have a late night snack and catch up a bit. The trio grabbed some snack like food and decided to go to Harry's chamber.

"I can't believe I'm actually going to be teaching." Fred said laughing, "I never thought I would be back here."

"Ginny's going to be thrilled though."

"Everyone's going to think she's the top of her class because her boyfriend, best friend and brother are her teachers." Fred joked.

"Oh wow I didn't even realize that." Harry confessed.

"How is my little sis doing anyway?" Fred asked taking out a piece of pie and plopping on Harry's couch next to Hermione.

Harry, Fred, and Hermione spent the next hour catching up before Hermione had to get on with hall duty. Fred used Harry's fireplace to get back to his apartment. Harry grabbed his robe and headed over to the Gryffindor Common Room, it was still early and he really wanted to talk to Ginny.

Just like Harry predicted Ginny was seated on one of the couch's by the fire reading her Transfiguration book, "Hey." harry said sitting on the arm of the chair.

"I wasn't expecting you." Ginny said putting her book down, "How was the interview? Have we found a guy for Hermione?"

Harry chuckled, "The interview went well but I don't think we've found a guy for Hermione."

Ginny's face fell, "Is our new Potions professor a girl?"

Harry took a deep breath, "Nope."

Ginny looked confused, "He's a guy, he's a professor, and he's not for Hermione? Is he butt ugly?"

"Um I'd rather you know not answer that last question." Harry laughed, "But no he's not ugly, he's just not for Hermione."

"Why not?"

"You're never going to believe me but...it's Fred."

"Fred?" Ginny raised her eyebrows, "As in Frederick George Weasley my older brother?"

"That would be the one."

"In that case, you're right he's definitely not Hermione's type."

"So much for your match making scheme." Harry grinned.

Ginny thought for a moment, "Hmm, I think I have a back-up person."

Harry raised his eyebrow, "Oh?"

Ginny hopped off the chair, "Well, I really need to go write to someone if I'm going to have Hermione a date by this weekend."

Harry sighed, "I hope you know what you're doing."

Ok so that's the end of chapter one, kinda long but I needed to set the story up and get the main characters into place. The next chapter will be Hermione's first blind date-woot! I bet you're all dying to know who she gets set up with, but you'll have to wait hehehe. Not that long though, I just wanna see what the initial reaction is before I post the next chapter...so if you wanna know how the first date goes then I suggest you review :-)