17th of November 2019: Hermione

15. 17th of November 2019: Hermione

Thank Merlin for the painting in Hermione's quarters. It had an armchair with a footstool.

"Hermione?" he said, and sat down and put his feet up. Hermione's quarters were silent, which meant that the brats were in their respective dorms, rather than pestering their mother.

"Coming."

Hermione came out of the kitchen, carrying a mug containing something steaming. She was strange, refusing the services of the house-elves as far as it was possible without causing offence.

"Is that tea?"

She scoffed at him. "Tea? I can't see why anyone would even want to drink tea. It tastes like someone took some hay, or, if we are discussing green tea, some grass, and boiled it in hot water."

Pure blasphemy; the woman had no tastebuds at all.

"I take it, it is coffee then?"

"Yes," she said, almost purring as she smiled at the contents of the mug. "Strong, black coffee."

Severus looked at the disgusting beverage. "If you are quite finished deifying the beverage, maybe we might begin?"

Hermione threw him a stern look. "I wasn't the one who brought the subject up. And yes, we can start." She sat down, back straight, looking at him. She showed such a lack of respect. Maybe he should scare her, just a bit. But the armchair was too comfortable.

"Have you come to a decision?" he asked instead.

"I'm interested, but ..." Hermione's voice trailed off, and she shook her head.

And why was he even surprised?

"Very well. Why do you hesitate? I might be able to help you come to a decision."

Hermione frowned and sipped the coffee before answering. "The children. It's such a big change and considering that their father—"

Severus quelled an urge to roll his eyes. But he should not complain. She had just given him some useful ammunition. He gave her a small nod, thus conceding her point.

"I understand. However, the position would mean a significant rise in salary. You might be able to afford to buy a house if you wish."

Her eyes flew to him, and she lowered her mug. Good. That got her attention. The question was whether he needed to wave something else in front of her to get her to take the bait, as it were.

"Is it that big a difference?" she asked and bit her lower lip.

"Yes." He deliberately pulled out the vowel and smiled.

For a moment her gaze clung to him, and her mouth opened without any sound coming out of it. Then, of course, she started thinking again. Always a dangerous thing when she did.

But it was amusing to watch her.

"It's also a fact that I'll have to deal with the Board of Governors," she said, less hesitant now; her voice carrying an underlying hardness that did not bode well. So, that was the real problem. She was still battle-weary since working at the Ministry. The question was how battle-weary.

"Why would that be a problem for you?"

Hermione sipped at her coffee and leaned back in her chair. And at that moment, she looked tired and much older than he was accustomed to. Then she met his eyes, and the look on her face—tense, with a sneer lurking in the corners of her mouth, and her gaze cold and steady—reminded him in an uncanny way of what Lily had looked like that dreadful day.

"Do I really have to tell you, Severus? You, of all people, who know it so well?"

He did know, yes. Not that he would admit to it being a problem. That would be counterproductive. He kept his face impassive.

"You are referring to the fact that the members are all purebloods, I take it."

She smiled, showing more teeth than was the norm with her.

"Indeed I am, Severus."

She sipped her coffee, holding the mug with both hands, and continuing to watch him as she did.

"You are worried that your heritage will carry negative connotations for the Board of Governors." He made it a statement rather than a question.

"I'm not worried. And I know it will. I was the token Muggleborn once, and I will not be that again."

He frowned. When had she stopped thinking?

"You would not be a token anything. You would be the Headmistress of Hogwarts. The position gives you the possibility, yes, but also the pleasure of manipulating, obstructing and ignoring the Board to your heart's content. Just look at how Albus and Minerva behaved."

Hermione actually snorted at him. He might be forgiven for what he had been, but nothing was forgotten. So how was he going to get past this? She was angry already, so he could not use her anger as leverage. He hesitated. Was it the right time to push the dagger in and turn? It would be hard to find a better moment, so he made a show of remembering something. "I forgot. I need to congratulate Draco."

He hoped she didn't have her wand handy, but he was fast. He had managed to duck once already.

Hermione frowned.

"Draco? Why would you congratulate him?" Her eyes narrowed at him. "And why would you bring his name up now?"

Clever. He admired that. And it made acting on his part redundant.

"He was voted onto the Board of Governors four months ago. Didn't you know?"

"What?" The word came out as an angry hiss, and seeing the look on her face, he fought to keep the smirk off his. He had her. He could feel it. Whatever he chose to do or say from here on, she would accept the position as Headmistress. He resumed the acting and played for an air of surprise and innocence this time. She would know that it was a lie on his part, and that would agitate her even further.

"I was sure Minerva had told you. She was quite pleased with his attitude. I think 'surprisingly easy to work with' were her exact words."

Hermione rose from her armchair and smoothed down her robe.

"You may tell the Board of Governors that I'm indeed interested in the position."

Severus caught himself smiling.

"I will do that," he answered.

Hermione Granger would get a portrait, then. He would, given time, have the companion he wanted.