Doubts and Desires

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the wonderful Harry Potter world created by JK Rowling nor am I trying to get money from it.

A/N: Here is another fanfic that I\'m now working on. I wanted to do one with SS/HG and this idea came to me. Please read and review.


Chapter One: Return to Hogwarts

Hermione Granger gazed up at the familiar towering castle hovering amongst the warm summer sunset. “Home,” she breathed as she levitated her bags again and continued to walk. She glanced over at the lake and how the fading sunlight danced along the rippling waters, remembering how eleven years ago that she was floating along in the small boat, anxious to start a new life as a witch. She had so many ambitions and dreams. She had no idea how far she would come or all that she and her friends had been through.

Voldemort had been defeated during the fall of her first year at the university. Harry had taken care of him along with the others. She wasn’t there and had only heard briefly what happened from Ron. Poor Harry! He just wouldn’t talk about it to this day. All she knew is that the others were fighting off the Death Eaters, making sure that he had a clear target on Voldemort. Then, she knew that they found Voldemort completely destroyed and Harry lying unconscious on the floor. It took him two weeks to even wake up from it. It was then that she vowed to learn medicine instead of her original major in Arithmancy, so she could help out others. She majored in Mediwizard training and minored in Potions.

“Hermione, my dear, welcome back!” called the strong, warm voice of Professor McGonagall as Hermione met her at the bottom of the staircase.

“Thank you, Professor.” Hermione said with a smile.

“Call me, Minerva. You are on staff. How was the train ride?” she asked as she instructed the house elf where to put Hermione’s things.

“Pleasantly uneventful,” Hermione said, giving the house elf a smile and biting her tongue to keep from going into all the S.P.E.W. business. If she didn’t think that the elves were well-treated here and happy, then she would have said something about it. She was still an avid supporter of S.P.E.W. and even had a monthly newsletter on how to give house elves and other creatures more rights, although it had very few supporters.

“You are just in time for dinner,” Minerva stated. “I can show you your new quarters right after.”

“Thank you, Pro—Minerva.” Hermione said as she remembered to call her Minerva now. She walked with her and was greeted by Professor Dumbledore who stood up.

“Hello, Hermione.” Albus said with a smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes. “I’m sure all of you remember Miss Hermione Granger, our new mediwitch. She’ll be taking the place of Madam Pomfrey who is now working at the new St. Mungo’s.” During the war, St. Mungo’s had been completely destroyed and only now had a new one been built in a new location.

Hermione was met by smiles from all the professors except one. Severus Snape just glanced up and gave her an once-over before looking back down at his dinner. She was undaunted by his act, figuring that not everyone would be happy with her return, especially since Snape always seemed to hate her and her friends. “Thank you, Professor Dumbledore.”

“Albus, please. Have a seat.” Albus said, motioning to the free chair between Minerva and Severus.

“Thank you,” Hermione said again, only hesitating for aef sef second before walking over and sitting between Minerva and Snape. She realized that she was starving now that she had arrived. She had been so nervous about coming back here that she had eaten little in the last few days.

The small group of professors that were already here before the students came back chatted little as they ate. They were quite interested in how Hermione’s studies had gone. She pleasantly obliged them with some of the information. “I figured out that if you add a bit of spearmint to the headache potion that it helps relieve the headaches even quicker as well as gives it a more pleasant taste.” She saw how most of the professors’ eyes had glazed over. She gave a slight smile and shrugged. “I learned quite a bit there.”

“Yes, it sounds like you sure did,” Albus said, blinking. “Severus, did you hear that Hermione minored in Potions?”

Severus had been listening to Hermione’s animated speech about some of the things she had learned. Under a guarded gaze, he had been watching her. She was no longer the little bushy hair girl. True, she was still the little know-it-all, but he certainly did not remember those curves. Her hair had also tamed down to gentle waves down her back. He snapped out of his personal reverie. “Yes, I believe I overheard her mentioning that.” he stated calmly.

Hermione glanced over at Snape and then back to Albus. “P—Albus, did you ask him about my request?” she inquired inuietuiet whisper.

Albus shook his head, forgetting to mention Hermione’s request to Severus. “Severus, I would like for you to allow Hermione some room to work on her own potions work. She plans to make most of her own stock of potions.”

Hermione timidly looked at Severus, wishing that this had already been settled. “I won’t take up too much space, Professor Snape. I’m doing my graduate studies in potions via owl, and I need a place to work on my research. We can even work out a schedule, if you require it.”

Severus glared menacingly at the girl. She was going to take his work space! He gave a look over to Dumbledore, seeing his earnest expression. He sighed softly, realizing that he had no choice. “Very well, Miss Granger. We will work out a schedule at a later time.”

“Why not after dinner, Severus?” Albus asked in a most persistent tone. Hermione held up her hand. “It’s quite alright. I have to get settled in. Perhaps we could discuss it tomorro
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Severus simply gave her a curt nod that tomorrow would be acceptable. Hermione bowed her head slightly and finished her dessert. She was already beginning to have doubts about asking Professor Snape for some room in his potions lab, but when she had asked the headmaster for one of her own, he mentioned that it was impossible at the time to work it out. She couldn’t figure out why, but she didn’t question him further.

Dinner was soon over. Hermione stood up and said her good nights, even giving a polite nod to Snape. Minerva took Hermione up to her new quarters which were through a secret entrance from inside the Hospital Wing.

“Thank you, Minerva. Good night,” she said as she saw her former Transfigurations Professor and Head of House out. She then shut her door and looked around at her things. “How did I accumulate so many things?” she asked herself as she began to sort through the boxes and where to place things, such as her vast personal library that she had acquired over the years, including her worn copy of Hogwarts, A History. She smiled slightly, looking around. Despite everything, she knew it was good to be home.


A/N: Please be kind, review. :) It just takes a moment.