15th of August 2014

4. 15th of August 2014

Severus pretended to sleep as Mrs Weasley, née Granger, arrived at the Headmistress' office for her interview.

Before she'd arrived, he had made a studious effort at displaying total and utter disinterest when Minerva told him that she was interviewing the chit for the position of Professor in Ancient Runes.

He didn't want Minerva to know how much he wanted her to hire the interfering, self-satisfied little dolly.

Hermione Weasley, who didn't know when to leave things of no concern of hers alone. He would teach her, though. Because now she was here. And since she and Minerva had become friends after the chit left school, this interview was a mere formality, only performed as a way to hide the blatant favouritism on Minerva's part.

Potter would have been better, of course, but Hermione Weasley would do just fine for what he had in mind.

And he had been lucky. The two women had placed themselves in front of the fireplace. Between them stood a table with a tray laden with sandwiches, cookies and a pot of tea. And best of all, they sat with their sides toward him. He didn't even have to feign sleep while listening in on their conversation.

"I was surprised when I saw your application, dear. I have to admit that I expected you to make a career within the Ministry. You never did give me cause to believe otherwise."

Minerva turned the parchments Hermione had given her over and perused them once more. "You are doing very well there. I'm even under the impression that Minister Shacklebolt has every intention of promoting you, wanting you on his staff."

Hermione drew a breath deep enough for even Severus to hear, and the sigh made Minerva look up at her guest.

"When I decided to start working at the Ministry, it was because Shacklebolt convinced me I was needed there. I went along with his idea because it seemed meaningful at the time." She was absently twirling a strand of hair around her fingers, choosing her words with care. "However, I feel a need to do something else. Teaching would be a very nice change of pace. I would get the chance of concentrating on Ancient Runes, not only my favourite subject, but also something I still have a deep personal interest in, and I would also be doing something meaningful—teaching." Her voice trailed off.

Merlin, such an abysmal liar the woman was!

Severus could see Minerva straighten her back even more, impossible as it seemed, as she was already sitting ramrod straight.

"So, it wouldn't have anything to do with Draco Malfoy becoming the secretary of one of the senior members of the Wizengamot?" Minerva asked.

Severus bit his tongue so he wouldn't laugh out loud at the crestfallen face of Hermione Weasley.

"Please. I might be your future employer, but we are friends. I would appreciate knowing what has happened that makes you want to leave."

Hermione bit her lower lip, seemed to hesitate, and then started to speak.

"During the time I have worked at the Ministry, I only managed to push through a couple of laws that protect the rights of Magical Creatures. I eventually learnt to leave the same Magical Creatures well enough alone. That's the reasons for my assumed popularity among them. The latter made me more popular than the first, in case you wondered." She lifted her cup but seemed to forget to drink from it. "Then there are the endless battles to abolish the the pro-pure-blood laws ... I'm starting to lose hope, to be honest. When I discovered that the Malfoys, once again, are back in grace, and at the same time realised I was hired as one of the token Muggle-borns, I decided it was time to leave." She shrugged. "When you told me this post was available, I applied."

The Weasley woman sounded discouraged, which was pleasing. If she was as wrecked as she sounded, it would be easy enough to bring her down. Maybe even too easy. Served her right for being stupid enough to start working at the Ministry.

"Then there's Ron and the kids. I want to spend more time with them. So, would you want an old, jaded student ... friend on your staff?" She sounded defensive now.

He had heard something about that: She had two children now, if Minerva's and Filius' gossip was correct, and it usually was.

Minerva nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your honesty. And you don't want to live at Hogwarts, I presume?" She made a neat stack of the parchments and put them back in the leather folder they had come in. "I'll need to keep these. I trust you've got copies?" Hermione smiled and nodded. "You will have to do the nightly rounds, you understand, even if you choose not to live here. Is that acceptable to you?"

The girl perked up; that was obvious. "Yes. Yes, it is. I was counting on that being a necessity," she said.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, then. I'm very happy to have you, you know. I wanted you to join earlier, but you never bit when I tried to get you to apply."

Hermione Weasley laughed, looking more relaxed now.

"I didn't want to put you in an awkward position with us being friends."

Minerva's whole posture expressed exasperation.

"Please. I've been angling for an application from you for years."

Severus closed his eyes and feigned sleep as they, giggling—giggling, for Merlin's sake—rose and walked out of the room, chatting now that their business was concluded.

But still, Severus felt like whooping. He had done it once before in his life: When he had discovered that Lily Evans, the prettiest girl in the neighborhood, was a witch. It wasn't the same kind of whooping. Not the same kind of happiness. But it was close enough.

He would get a small measure of revenge. Because he could make Peeves seem reasonable.

"Severus."

Minerva had returned, and her voice cut through his musings with the efficiency of a slicing hex. He was proud of the fact that he didn't even flinch.

"Don't bother. I know you're awake."

He opened his eyes and gave her a studious yawn.

"Minerva," he said, imitating Albus' jovial way of greeting, but pulling out chosen vowels in the way he knew annoyed her no end. "How are you this fine day?"

Minerva sniffed and made a disgusted moue.

"Very well, thank you," she answered, her voice oozing false politeness. "I just wanted you to know I have just hired a new Professor in Ancient Runes."

He cocked a deliberate eyebrow at her.

"Really? And whom did you decide on?"

Minerva was getting tired of the game. He could see that.

"Hermione Weasley. Of course," she said and turned her back on him.

"Oh." He paused until Minerva turned to him again. "Well. She might be more adept at Ancient Runes than she was at Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, I suppose."

Minerva gave him a narrowed glance over the rim of her glasses.

"That's all you have to say?"

"I can't imagine what I might add. It's not as if I have to speak to her or be in any kind of contact with her."

Minerva was pursing her lips, and her eyes narrowed. She was suspicious then. As she started to speak, he pulled out his gold pocket watch and looked at it.

"I'm afraid I have a previous appointment. I'll have to leave now." With that he rose and left his frame, showing up again one frame over where Phineas Nigellus Black was waiting for him.

"Ah, Severus, there you are," he said and gave Minerva a haughty look. "Join me in the reading room where we can discuss things in private."