Learning

Back to Hogwarts for the first time in several years, Hermione found that nothing had changed. Yes, indeed. It was almost like using a time-turner. The pictures were the same, the stairs, the ceiling, the decorations, the food, the students. It was as if someone made personality clones of each person she knew when she was at Hogwarts. The microcosm of the student body at Hogwarts intrigued Hermione. This was one reason she was back.

She wasn't returning as a student though this times. She had accepted the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Yes, the beloved Severus Snape finally retired and Hermione at the ripe age of 28 would fill the vacancy offered by Penelope Clearwater. This wasn't her first job though.

After graduating from Hogwarts, she went to the United States. There she attended Harvard University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, a Masters in Euclid Geometry, and finally finished off her education with a Doctoral degree in Trigonometric Linear Equations. While finishing her Doctoral degree, she was offered a position to teach at Harvard as a Muggle professor of Geometry.

All the professors she had at Hogwarts were retired except lovable Professor Binns and Flitwick. Binns was still the same monotonous lecturer and Flitwick had perhaps grown an inch or two since she last remembered seeing him in her 7^th year. Severus somehow got an early retirement (she didn't ask). Even Professor Dumbledore had retired and was at a fragile age.

There were actually two classes open for professorship. Hermione chose Defense Against the Dark Arts over Potions. She knew the jinx that was associated with the position, but she thought she would take her chances. Plus she enjoyed DADA much more than Potions.

The other position, to her limited knowledge, was going to be occupied by a young man around her age from Australia. He was not a wizard, but had other powers, which were not explained to her. She was excited to meet him, but more so to be back at Hogwarts where the emotional moments of her life occurred.

"Hello," a voice from behind Hermione spoke in the Aussie tongue. "How do you do? I don't believe that we have met."

Hermione spun around on her heels to find herself face to face with a man. He had a baby face, but probably was older than he looked. His mysterious cerulean eyes accented his high cheekbones. The eyes on this man were very distinguished with their wide-elliptical shape and pale golden ring around the outer blue.

His hair was longer for a man, but slicked back with hairs cascading around his ears. It appeared that he had not shaven for a couple of days because Hermione could see the beginnings of a five o'clock shadow. He appeared dangerous and defiant. She liked the feeling of anticipation that he released in her.

She swallowed hard to catch her breath. The man had surprised her and he was now standing very close to her. Well, at least noticeably closer than any normal person would stand. She could feel the heat radiate off his body and absorb into her being. He stepped back somehow sensing Hermione's discomfort.

"I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "Perhaps I was too forward. Let me introduce myself first. Then you can make any judgments you want about me."

Too late for that, she thought. Hermione already had made judgments about this man. He was irresistibly manly. The lust coursing through her body made her pink in the cheeks.

"My name is John Dyce." He held out his hand to Hermione. "How do you do? People call me Pyro sometimes."

He winked. The sensation of anxious elation swelled in her.

"Oh," Hermione manage to stutter. "My name is Hermione Granger."

"Pleased to meet you Ms Granger," John said. "I hear that you will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Pretty risky, if you ask me."

"I'm up for the challenge," Hermione blurted out before realizing all the arrogance that that statement contained. She blushed and changed the subject. "Perhaps we should move along to the Great Hall. Headmistress Clearwater will want to introduce all the professors to each other."