There's No Place Like Hogwarts *COMPLETE*

There’s No Place Like Hogwarts

Author’s Note: This is neither HBP nor DH compliant. If you don’t like that don’t read. Also Hermione and Severus, as well as other characters will be OOC. Again if you don’t like that don’t read. Flames and rude reviews will be deleted. Enjoy the fic.

Chapter 1- Coming Home

Hermione sighed happily as she climbed out of the carriage. She smiled as she looked up at the place that had been her home for seven years. Hogwarts. It had been eight years since she had graduated. Now she was back to take over for Poppy.

“Hermione.”

“Hello Minerva.” Hermione smiled.

“Oh.” Minerva beamed as she pulled Hermione into her arms.

Hermione laughed as she returned the hug. It had been too long since she had seen her former Head of House. The two women turned and entered the castle. Tonight was Poppy’s retirement party.

“How have you been Minerva?” Hermione asked.

“I’ve been well dear. Of course I don’t need to ask how you’ve been doing. Albus and I have been watching you since you graduated. We are so proud of you.” Minerva answered.

“It feels good to be back. I just hope I can do as good a job as Poppy.” Hermione replied.

“You’ll do fine.” Minerva assured her.

After dropping Hermione’s things off at her chambers, the two women headed for the Great Hall. Hermione was greeted by all her former professors. Even Severus whom she hadn’t seen in seven years.

“Welcome back Ms. Granger.” Severus nodded as he shook her hand.

“Thank you Professor Snape. It’s good to see you again.” Hermione said.

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A few hours later found Hermione exiting her bathroom. As she sat on her bed and began towel drying her hair, she thought back to the partly. All of her professors were just as she remembered them. All except Severus.

‘Professor Snape sure has changed. He looks happier now. From what Minerva told me tonight he’s become a much better professor too.’ She thought.

During her seventh year, she found she had a crush on her Potions Professor. Over the last eight years, her feelings hadn’t changed. A year ago she had written to him. She could still recall what she wrote to him.

Dear Professor Snape,

I’m sure you’re surprised at receiving a letter from me of all people. I just wanted to get something off my chest. Something I didn’t have the courage to tell you when I graduated.

I wanted to tell you thank you. Thank you for everything you taught me over the years. Though many don’t understand your harsh teaching methods, I did. You were not only teaching us, but preparing us for life.

I also want to thank you for all you during the war. Because of you, so many were saved because of you. You are a good and noble man no matter what you or anyone else thinks.

Thank you,
Hermione J. Granger

She had not received a reply, but she didn’t expect one. After all, Severus Snape was a very private person. She wasn’t even sure if he received her letter, but hoped he did and read it. She sighed as she turned out the lights and lay down to sleep.

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Severus sat in his sitting room. A glass of Scotch in one hand, Hermione’s letter in the other. Not only had he received and read her letter, but he had kept it too. He had been shocked at her kind words. He sighed as he looked away from the letter to stare into the fireplace.

‘I should have written her back and at least thanked her for the kind words.’ He thought. ‘She probably thinks I threw it away.’

He carefully folded the letter again and placed it in his breast jacket pocket. Since he received the letter, he kept it with him always. When he slept it sat on his nightstand next to his wand.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.” Severus called out.

“Hello Severus.” Albus greeted.

“Hello Albus. Would you care for a drink?” Severus offered.

“Yes thank you.” Albus nodded.

“What can I do for you?” Severus asked as he poured Albus a glass of Scotch and refilled his own.

“Well, I was hoping to discuss your labs.” Albus said.

“My labs?” Severus questioned in confusion.

“Yes. Oh thank you.” Albus nodded as he took his glass. “Not only has Hermione become a Healing Mistress, but a Potions Mistress as well. She was hoping she would be able to use your labs. At least until I can add a set of labs for her.” Albus explained.

“I see no problem with that. I’ll drop by tomorrow so we can set up a schedule of some kind.” Severus answered.

“She’s turned into quite a beautiful young woman.” Albus smiled softly.

“I suppose so.” Severus agreed.

“Well Minerva and I have followed her career since she graduated. I believe she trained under your old mentor, Sergei Nikoli in Moscow.” Albus said.

“She did? I didn’t know that.” Severus responded in awe.

“She did. Sergei wrote me and said Hermione was equal to you in potions. He always said you were his best apprentice.” Albus stated proudly.

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Albus stayed a while longer before leaving. Severus was still surprised Hermione trained with Nikoli. Sergei Nikoli was the top Potions Master and Medi-Wizard in the world. Every year potential apprentices in both potions and healing applied to him. Severus himself had waited nearly three months before he was accepted.

‘Tomorrow I think Healer Granger and I should have a little talk.’ Severus thought as he watched the fire in the fireplace dance.

T.B.C