Chapter 47: A Move Forward in Time...

(Five Years Later...)

Hermione Granger's Flat, Wizarding World...

Another late reading night had been all Hermione Granger seemed to have to look forward to as of late. She had been 24 years old with a degree in Spells under her belt and the title of Mistress added to her list of credentials. Spells Mistress Hermione Granger had a nice ring to it when she initially worked to get her degree. She had tried the dating scene but none of other the wizards seemed to do anything for her. She cut out dating entirely to focus on her studies after coming to the conclusion that all the various wizards wanted to do was get into her knickers. Despite how her relationship with Sebastian...Professor Snape ended she could at least say that they had some type of connection before he took her to bed. The young witch formerly of Gryffindor House, had been single for quite some time as a result.

Things had changed for Harry Potter and the others as well. Harry became an Auror and had married Ginny Weasley and the couple had a grand total of two sons, James Sirius Potter. Named for Harry's father and Godfather. He had been five years old and a real terror in his own right. The boy looked a good deal like his father with his mother's eyes. The second son, was named Albus Severus Potter, aged three and named for the two Headmasters of Hogwarts; Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Severus Sebastian Snape.

It had shocked Hermione to no end to see that little Albus had looked so much like Snape. He had even exhibited the dour wizard's quiet demeanor. Of the two boys, Albus was the one with Harry's mother's eyes. He seemed to take a liking to her ever since he was born. Harry always showed him careful consideration in the wake of his older brother's bullying. Like one of his namesakes, Albus Potter had been sweet and good natured. Like the other he was always impressed when there was something to read. Both Neville Longbottom and Hermione, herself had been picked to be the boy's Godparents; despite Neville being married to Luna Lovegood.

Ron Weasley had married Susan Bones adding her to the Weasley clan. The couple had no children as of yet but they had been happy enough. He continued to play Quidditch on a professional level. Susan seemed to have been happy enough being a regular house wife. No doubt Molly Weasley figured she had been a daughter after her own heart. Hermione had really been glad had not settled for being with Ron just to not be alone. She had been more at peace with the work she was doing in Spells.

She had sent out a request for employment to The Ministry of Magic and had been all set to join their ranks when she received word from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore that Professor Fillius Flitwick had plans to retire and they needed a replacement. Hermione considered the offer to come and teach in his place. It had been five long years since she had been at Hogwarts and it would be nice to see the place again. Dumbledore had even written that she could fill in the position as a trial run while she awaited the Ministry's word on wither or not they accepted her. Ever the Gryffindor. Hermione decided take the position for the time being. It wasn't as if she had been getting any younger and The Headmaster really seemed like he could use the help.

The former Gryffindor witch sent an owl to the Headmaster to announce that she had decided to take him up on his offer for the Charms position. She had not known how this was all going to turn out with Professor Snape being on the staff at Hogwarts as well. She had only hoped that they could do their respective jobs without bringing up personal history.

She sent off the letter and sat back on her couch with the charms book that Professor Snape had given her for Valentine's Day. He had been right when he told her to keep it for use in academic pursuits. It had come in handy a time or two when she really needed it.

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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Wizarding World...

Severus Snape had not changed all that much over the course of five years. He had looked no different than he had the last time he had seen Hermione Granger. He had been 44 years old and still very much the loner he had been since his youth, only now it was more or less a voluntary on his part as opposed to people ignoring him. Remus Lupin had been a regular thorn in his side. Possibly even more so now that he had been married to Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin. The couple had even had a three year old son, Edward Remus "Teddy" Lupin. The DADA Professor had often thought it cute to bring the little brat to harass his "Uncle Severus" whenever he had a free period.

The little terror had been an Metamorphmagus of all things. He gave Snape a good deal of trouble when took on Snape's traits after deciding that he liked looking like Uncle Severus. The staff and students alike had been in an uproar over Snape being the father of the three year old while he carried him back to Lupin after he took off through the castle.

Lucius and Narcissa harassed him constantly about joining them for dinner every so often especially during the holidays. Draco's grades were well enough that he had gotten a job at the Ministry of Magic and everyone had been celebrating his good fortune. The boy had been doing so well in his life that his parents were willing to overlook the fact that he had gotten Pansy Parkinson pregnant not long after they graduated and had to marry her quickly to avoid scandal. Lucius had been none too happy about being a grandfather so soon. Narcissa was even more upset at being a grandmother. As a result, Draco and Pansy had six year old son, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy. Later a three year old daughter, Jasmine Narcissa Malfoy had been added to the Malfoy line.

Snape had been a 44 year old great uncle with two godsons. He spent most of his time teaching dunderheads and avoiding his mother, who seemed to spend a great deal of time trying to get him to settle down with a "good" witch and have some children of his own. The conversation had always turned to "Her having better luck with that idiot Jarvis producing her grandchildren."

Jarvis Hamershal had begged his mother to send him to Hogwarts for his final school year. It wasn't much of a shock to Snape when Jarvis found himself sorted into Hufflepuff house. He had always figured the boy had been overly sensitive. Much to The Potions Master's great amusement, Lady Hamershal had neglected to mention to the boy that she had been the mother of his future Potions Professor. Snape had been less than kind to his younger half-brother while he had been his pupil. Needless to say, Snape took a special kind of satisfaction out of scaring the daylights out of him that made his treatment of Neville Longbottom pale in comparison.

Once Graduation arrived Jarvis Hamershal had been in good spirits believing he would be free of Snape's torment. It had not lasted long as his mother informed him after the ceremony that Professor Severus Snape was his long lost older half-brother.

Snape took a few moments to read in the silence of his quarters. Soon the school would be flooded with new dunderheads and he would hardly have time to catch his breath. He had a passing thought of Hermione Granger wondering if she had put those books he had given her to good use. The respective rings they had given each other were locked away in a small box on the mantle of his fireplace. He would look at them from time to time and store them away afterward.

There was not a day that went by that he did not think of his Insufferable Gryffindor. Of course he would never admit it, not even to himself as the days passed with their usual swarm of busy work.

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Headmaster Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts...

Amber eyes met blue was Hermione Granger sat quietly in The Headmaster's office. It was the first time she had ventured to Hogwarts in five years and she had not been a student. It felt a little strange to return with all the changes that had taken place. She had learned quite a bit here and even more once she left these halls. Still, it had felt like coming home. She managed to locate her parents after the war with Voldemort and they had been present at her graduation but she always felt like the wizarding world had been where she really belonged and Hogwarts was kind of like her true home.

"It seems you are more than qualified Miss Granger." said Dumbledore with a smile. "Just know that we'd be happy to have you here on a more permanent basis should you want to fill the position permanently."

Hermione nodded.

"Thanks for the offer Headmaster." she said. "But I don't think that I will need it."

Dumbledore continued to smile at her.

"In any case, my offer stands." he said. "For now you are officially a part of the staff of Hogwarts...welcome."

Hermione returned his smile and shook his extended hand.

"Thank you Headmaster." she said. "It is good to be back after all these years."

Dumbledore chuckled some at this.

"I imagine it's like coming home for you." he said.

Hermione nodded again.

"Something like that yes." she replied. "How did you know?"

"Because most of the former students that end up teaching here say the same thing." replied The Headmaster. "Myself included."

Hermione shook her head. This was going to be an interesting year here at Hogwarts. For the first time she would be walking the halls as a Charms Professor. She could only imagine what would happen if Neville and Professor McGonagall got word of her arrival. She smiled to herself as she bid The Headmaster good day and made her way out into the corridors.

She had to admit that Professor Granger had a nice ring to it.

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The Corridors, Hogwarts...

The billowing black robes of Severus Snape had been in full swing when he rounded the corner of the Hogwarts corridor. He had not been in a very pleasant mood after one again finding himself chasing Lupin's brat all across Hogwarts. He had picked up speed as the little terror took off at a faster pace. Of all the times for the brat to go off and make him participate on a wild goose chase.

Hermione Granger had been rounding the corner when she found herself being nearly knocked to the floor by a three year old boy with raven hair and a pale complexion. He looked up at her with obsidian eyes and a warm smile. The young witch formerly of Gryffindor house had been thrown through a loop looking at the boy. It had only been a moment before she heard the familiar baritone drawl of the one and only Severus Snape when he came around the corner.

"Get back here Edward!" he demanded not noticing Hermione at first.

His face had been red from the embarrassment of the boy running the halls with his appearance. Students were giving him strange looks as he passed chasing after the giggling boy.

The raven haired boy giggled as he watched Snape get closer.

"Daddy!" he shouted happily.

The flush on The Potions Master's cheeks increased.

Hermione looked at Severus Snape as he tried not to make eye contact with her.

"Edward, you know very well, that I am not your father." he said conveying his annoyance.

Hermione looked back n forth between the Potions Professor and the boy.

"Daddy!" shouted Edward Lupin happily rushing over to Snape.

"Stop that Edward." said Snape in his usual professor tone.

The boy seemed to be unphased.

"He looks just like you." said Hermione making herself known for the first time since his arrival.

"Looks can be deceiving." he replied. "You of all people should know that."

Hermione nodded.

He did have a point even thought she had wished he had not brought up Sebastian Prince even as a reference.

"Who's son is he?" she asked.

"He's Remus Lupin's boy, and he seems to have a talent for shape-shifting like his mother." replied Snape. "Not that it is any business of yours, but I have no children."

Hermione focused her attention on Edward Lupin to avoid looking at Snape.

"Daddy Snape!" said Edward happily. "Daddy Snape, you found me."

Snape scoffed.

"Yes Edward, I've found you." he said. "And you are going back to your father right now."

Hermione waved at the cute little Snape impersonator.

"Bye Edward." she said sweetly.

"Bye Mommy Snape!" the boy replied with an even sweeter smile.

Snape arched an eyebrow at this.

Hermione's eyes widened in surprised.

"Daddy Snape!" said Edward. "Mommy Snape!"

"Forgive the boy." he said. "He gets a bit confused."

Hermione had not really recovered from the shock to utter a reply so she simply nodded.

"Good day Miss Granger." said Snape turning his attention back to the boy.

"Good day Professor Snape." she replied not at all use to being around him without being a student. It had sounded too weird to simply address him as Mr. Snape, he had still been employed at Hogwarts after all.

Hermione Granger watched as both Snape and Edward disappeared down the corridor. The Professor made sure to keep a good grip on the boy this time carrying him all the way back in his arms. The young witch thought the whole scene had been very cute. She caught a glimpse of Edward resting his head against Snape's chest as they left her line of sight. Snape grumbled the whole way despite the boy's obvious affection. He knew that he couldn't blame the boy. It was most likely Lupin who put that infernal idea into his head.

Meddlesome Gryffindor.

One thing was for sure he was going to do his best to kill Lupin when he got the chance.

Definitely, a meddlesome Gryffindor.