Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"A glass of water please?" she asked the barman and thanked after drinking it.

"Can I get you a drink?" the voice can from her right, followed by the movement of a body towards her. Hermione turned to look at the owner of the said voice and body. He was about six feet tall with red hair, blue eyes and what looked like a hopeful expression on his face. Behind him, she could see four other males, all wearing expressions on their faces ranging from laughter to wariness.

Turning back to the man standing before her, Hermione replied "No, thank you. I don't think your girlfriend would appreciate it and my escort would likely harm you just for the offer." Laughter broke out from the blokes friends. As she turned to leave, she came face-to-face with a blonde and a red-head who looked ready to explode.

"Hermione, there you are!" Came Zack's voice, a moment before he appeared by her side. Noticing the tension, he asked "What's going on? I s there a problem, mates?"

"It's nothing. Come on let's get back to the others." Said Hermione while dragging Zack away from the group at the bar.

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"Will you stop your staring? You'll freak her out." Came Ginny's voice over the music in the club. All the girls were getting tired with the staring Ron was doing. Except Luna, who looked devastated but hid it behind a smiling face so as to not alarm anyone.

"Hey! I'm just checking to see if she's suitable for Harry over here" Was Ron's reply.

Harry looking shocked stared at Ron and stammered out "I don't need your help to find a girlfriend."

"Yes you do. When was the last time you went out on a date?" This came from Neville, who usually stayed silent. He continued before Harry could protest, "That's right the last time you went out was the blind date Sirius and your dad set you up on."

By now Harry was desperate for anyone to change the subject. His saviour came in the form of the topic of their conversation. But she was with the bloke from earlier and they looked like they were more than friends. So Harry didn't understand how his friends thought he would have a chance with her, especially considering they lived in London where their chances of meeting again were low. He mentioned this to them and their reply was that fate would make them meet again.

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A month later

Hermione was nervous, having an interview at the most famous wizarding school in Britain could do that to you. Hogwarts had an incredible reputation of its own but add in the fact that the saviour of wizarding Britain, Harry Potter, studied there and it was a whole another level.

A week earlier, Hermione had received a letter from the headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall, offering her the job of a transfiguration teacher for the first to third years. The letter had gone on to reveal some of the information and comments the headmistress had heard about Hermione and how 'she, the headmistress, felt that Hermione was perfect for the position'.

Hermione stared at the sight before her, magical paintings on various subjects filled the walls and some of the uncovered areas held scorch marks of spells cast during the battle. Knights stood guarding the halls such that they would come alive at a simple command.

Finally, she arrived at the gargoyle leading to the headmistress' office and gave the password. The gargoyle moved out of the way and Hermione climbed the stairs to the office. Standing in front of the door, she took some time to calm down and collect herself before she knocked on the door. Hermione heard the voice calling out enter and took a deep breath before turning the knob and opening the door.

The first thing she saw was the regal looking witch sitting behind a desk covered in parchment. A quick glance around the office showed walls with paintings of past heads, a few books on a side table and various other things.

"Ah Miss Granger. It's lovely to meet you" Came McGonagall's voice, breaking into Hermione's thoughts. "Shall we get started then? Although I am certain that you shall be perfect for the position, I still need to follow school procedures."

Hermione sat down and spent the next hour answering questions about her life at Beauxbatons and those based on the current academic curriculum for the first to third years. Professor McGonagall then invited Hermione to have lunch at the school saying that she should get used to the castle as it would be home while the children were here.

"Not to be rude Professor but you reached the decision very quickly" said Hermione.

"As I told you at the beginning, there was never any doubt that you would get the position but the formal stuff had to be taken care of first. And now please call me Minerva." Minerva's reply came just as they reached a set of double doors. Pushing them open Minerva announced "And this is the great hall where all our meals are taken."

Hermione was staring speechless at the sight before her. She had read Hogwarts: A History but to be here in person was just wonderful. Just then a slight movement from Minerva's left drew her attention.

"Doing a bit of theatrics like Albus, I see." A voice said from Minvera's left.

"Ah Harry. May I introduce our new transfiguration professor for the first to third years, Miss Hermione Granger. Miss Granger, this is our defense professor, the Harry Potter." Minerva said.

Hermione moved to one side and looked at the dark haired, green-eyed person standing before her and Minerva. He seemed familiar but she couldn't remember where she'd seen him. Meanwhile Harry was having the same problem, the difference was that he remembered where he saw the brunette beauty standing in front of him. After that night in the club, all of his friends would try to bring her up in their conversations at least once. Harry decided it would be to awkward to bring up their previous meeting so decided to keep it to himself.

"It's lovely to meet you. Are you joining us for lunch today Miss Granger?" asked Harry.

"Yes. I invited Miss Granger to dine with us and may be you can show her around the castle after lunch?" Minerva asked while looking between the two. She was now sure that Miss Granger was the girl the others had told her about. She just hoped that Harry and Hermione got the happiness they deserved, and them being a couple would just sweeten the deal more.

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Harry had just gotten back to his room after showing Hermione (she asked him to call her Hermione) around. Nursing a glass of firewhisky, he remembered that night at the club. He had spent the rest of the night looking at her while trying not to be too obvious about it. There was something about her that attracted him to her.

Harry was startled out of his musing when the fire turned green and out stepped Sirius. Sirius Black was Harry's godfather, who had been sent to Azkaban for betraying Harry's parents. But when Harry was six he ran away from the Dursley's place and with the help of a trusted family friend, they got Sirius a trial he never had, and got him proven innocent. Ever since then Harry stayed with Sirius, except when Hogwarts started. Then he stayed in the school.

"Hello pup. I would ask how your day was but looking at the glass in your hand I might as well save my breath" Were the first words out of Sirius.

"Hey. This is my first and last drink for the day. But I remember when a certain someone said the same words and ended up drunk on the living room couch at #12 Grimmauld Place. And then getting an earful from Mrs. Weasley" said Harry.

"Now why would you remind of that horrible, horrible day" asked Sirius as he collapsed on a couch with a sad look on his face. "It took me two weeks to just get my hearing back, not mention all those love meals that I didn't get."

Harry got up and poured Sirius a glass and sat down. Both remembered those days before the final war. There had been very little to laugh or smile about. They were dark days when all hoped seemed to have been lost.

The silence was broken when Sirius spoke, "Anyway before I forget, you need to visit Gringotts as soon as possible. And you're invited to dinner on Friday night. Please don't forget or not appear as Pania will kill me either way."

"She would only kill you if the dinner is really important to her. So why is it?" asked Harry.

"Her folks are coming back from Greece tomorrow and she decided that it would be nice for them to meet everyone in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Those were her words not mine." Said Sirius. "But now I need to get back and help Pania put the kids to bed." With that Sirius left.

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On Friday, Harry prepared to leave for Grimmauld Place. He had bought a few gifts for the kids and hoped he could sneak them in and hand them to the kids before Pania found out about them. He knew it wouldn't work, Pania always found out about these things before he had given them to the kids.

At the entrance, he meet Hermione. She looked amazing wearing a little black dress with silver accessories. He must have made some noise because she turned to look at him.

"Hello Harry. Going to a birthday party?" asked Hermione, while looking at the boxes in Harry's hands.

"No. I'm going to Sirius' place and these are just some gifts for is kids." Replied Harry. Just then he saw someone standing at the gates to Hogwarts. "Looks like someone is waiting to enter Hogwarts."

Hermione turned and saw Zack at the gate and turned back to Harry to wish him a good weekend. She walked to the gate and once on the other side, she apparated with Zack to their destination.

Harry stood at the same spot for a few seconds before following her to the gate and then apparating to Grimmauld Place.

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As Hermione walked to the gate, she kept wondering why every time she was near Harry her heart beat faster ad she got nervous. He was just another of her co-workers, granted she had seen him outside Hogwarts before, at a night club. She stopped dead in her tracks with that revelation. Before she had time to analyse anything, Zack greeted her and told her to hold on as he apparated them to their destination.

When they arrived at the restaurant, all of their friends were there to greet them. They had dinner while catching up with each other's lives. The thought didn't enter Hermione's mind for a second time that night.

The next day, Hermione spent working on her class schedule and wondering if Harry remembered that night and if he did why hadn't he said anything yet. They had known each other for about two weeks now, it could have come up in their conversations.

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All too soon summer ended and it was time for school to start. By now Hermione knew her way around without getting lost and had read the school rules. Last night she had met the other teachers as well. There was Neville Longbottom for Herbology, Draco Malfoy for Potions, Madam Hooch for flying and quidditch match referee, Professor Flitwick for Charms (he was the deputy headmaster also) and many others whose names she couldn't remember.

The doors to the great hall opened and Professor Flitwick lead a group of scared and nervous first years into the hall to be sorted. After the last child had been sorted, Professor McGonagall stood up to make a few announcements and the opening feast began.

The last of the students left the hall followed by Hermione and a few of the other Professors including Harry. He came up to Hermione and both started talking when Hermione said "You know when Minerva first introduced us; I thought you were familiar but couldn't remember where I had seen you. I finally realised that we met at Wilde's club in London."

"I remembered when I saw you then" he continued before she could interrupt "But didn't want to seem forward so I kept quiet."

Hermione gaped at Harry, men never thought like, that at least not those she met. They usually went out of their way to say they had seen her before, after which she would spin a tale to see if they went along with it; most did. But here was a guy telling her that he knew her before their official meeting but didn't tell her because it would seem rude.

"Looks like we've reached your quarters. I'll see you tomorrow then" said Harry before turning to walk to his rooms.

"Goodnight Harry" Hermione called before entering her room.

That night she kept tossing and turning in her bed. She knew Harry didn't have a girlfriend although with the different sides she saw of him she didn't understand why. He was charming, serious and considerate, too mention a few qualities. Even with hype about being the chosen one, she thought there would be ladies lining up to be his girlfriend or anything else for that matter.

Little did she know that she was right about the queue of women but didn't know that Harry hated these women as they only wanted a part of the Boy-Who-lived not Harry Potter the person. Just before midnight, Hermione decided to see if she and Harry could grab a drink once before falling asleep.

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By the end of the first term, Hermione was a part of Hogwarts, and even more had managed to strike up good friendships with the other professors. Although things between Harry and her seemed a bit awkward after that date.

Flashback

"Hey Harry. Wait up" Hermione called out as they left a staff meeting. Harry stopped and waited for Hermione to catch up before asking "was there something you wanted Hermione?"

Catching a breath, Hermione asked "would you like to grab a drink together sometime? You know to celebrate the end of the first term?"

"Sure. How about we go to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade tomorrow night?" said Harry. Hermione agreed and both decided to meet at the entrance hall at eight o'clock and walk to Hogsmeade together.

The next day both spent their time denying that it was a date to their friends but both still took their time to dress for the occasion. As Hermione walked to the entrance she saw Harry standing there wearing black trousers and an emerald green shirt.

Harry turned around just as Hermione stepped outside. He was stunned by how beautiful she looked in a blue-green dress that reached her knees. Offering her a greeting, which she replied to, they both set off for the Three Broomsticks.

"Hello Harry. It's so nice to see you here today. And who is this lovely lady?" asked Madam Rosmerta.

Harry introduced Hermione to Madam Rosmerta. They were then shown to their table by a waitress who left after handing them both a menu. They both chose a pasta dish and red wine. Once the waitress left with their orders, Harry said "so Hermione tell me about your life in France. I mean it's only fair that I learn a bit about you. After all you have heard so many stories about me?"

"That seems fair enough." Said Hermione before continuing, "I was born in Britain but when I was about eight my parents got a better job offer from friend in France and we moved there. After my first bout of accidental magic, a representative from the French Ministry of Magic came to explain to my parents and me that I was a witch. We learned that had we stayed in England I would have attended Hogwarts. But now I could choose between Hogwarts and Beauxbatons. When I turned eleven, I attended Beauxbatons and graduated from there two years ago with a mastery in Transfiguration."

Just then their dinner arrived and the rest of the night was spent talking about their school life and friends. By the end of the night, both felt like they had been on a date and this made things uncomfortable between them.

End Flashback

"Hermione would you please join me in my office, I have some things to discuss with you." McGonagall said, a moment before disappearing down the hallway to the headmistress' office. Hermione followed, all the while wondering why McGonagall wanted to speak to her. When she entered the office McGonagall was shifting through some papers, before holding out a stack of them towards Hermione.

"Sorry Hermione but it seems that the post mixed up your post with someone else's. These are the letters that got sent to somewhere else. The manager of the owl post asked me to apologise to you on his behalf."

Hermione took the stack of letters and replied "it's not his fault. These things happen sometimes."

They chatted for a while before Hermione left for her rooms. Once she reached her rooms, she pulled a chair at her desk and sat down to read the mail. Just as she got half through the mail, she noticed a piece of parchment sticking out with writing. Pulling it out she read the note. It was from Harry asking her to go out on a date with him during the Christmas holidays.

To say that Hermione was shocked would be an understatement, she was floored. She never thought that Harry would ask her out. She had once accidentally seen a photo of one of his fans, from then on she tried to supress her feelings for him. But it seemed that Harry returned those feelings as well.

Them as a couple was an idea that appealed to her, not to mention their previous date (and yes it was one, they both finally admitted it) went so much better than any of her previous ones. Pulling blank parchment towards her, she wrote a note agreeing to meet a date as long as it wasn't during Christmas week.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a voice spoke, "Don't worry I wasn't planning on asking you out then. I thought may be sometime next week." As Harry said this he pulled of his invisibility cloak and looked at Hermione for an answer.

Hermione had felt her heart stop beating when Harry had first spoken. When she gained her voice, the first thing she said was, "How did you get in here? Were you under the cloak this whole time? If so why not just ask me instead of writing a note?"

Harry just looked at her and laughed.

"Wow! You said all that in one breath. And to answer in order. I asked McGonagall to let me in after I told her the reason. And yes I was under the cloak from when you entered till now. I thought that if you didn't want to go out with me, it would save us both the embarrassment of a rejection."

They spent the day making plans to meet during the holiday season. That night Harry told her that Ron and all his friends that she saw at the night club spent the night trying to get Harry to ask her out. But he refused because he thought she had a boyfriend, Zack. When Hermione heard this she laughed until her sides hurt and told Harry that Zack was just a really good friend and that he was engaged to her other best friend.