Interviews

Disclaimer: All HP characters are the property of J.K. Rowling, and I promise to put them away neatly when I'm finished playing with them.

A/N:This revision is starting to take on a life of its own. Sure, it's turned into a lot of extra work for me, but my readers are worth it. Thanks to sempra for proof reading.

Chapter 1: Interviews

The orange glow of the fading mid-July sun shone through the windows of the headmaster's office. Severus sat rigidly in the straight-back chair opposite Dumbledore. The same farce of an interview had been played out over and over for the last fifteen years. The only thing that seemed to change from one year to the next was Severus's age.

"Thank you for your continued interest in the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, Severus," Dumbledore said as he surveyed his current Potions master over the rims of his half-moon spectacles.

"You know I apply every year, Headmaster."

Leaning back in his chair, Dumbledore sighed. "Pretenses must be maintained, I suppose."

"Actually, sir, it has nothing to do with maintaining pretenses," Severus began, keeping his tone low and cool. "I feel, considering the current state of things, that it would be prudent to have a highly qualified instructor for the class this year. If for no other reason than to avoid students forming illicit defense groups."

With a light laugh, the old man replied, "I was hoping for the continuance of Dumbledore's Army in some form or another."

He cannot be serious about allowing Potter's pet project to continue, Severus thought furiously. Keeping his voice calm, he replied, "Don't you think it would be inappropriate? What if the Board of Governors disagree?"

"Severus," Dumbledore began gravely, "if the students are able to defend themselves when they are outside the safety of the school, then that is the more important than the opinion of the Governors."

The dark-haired wizard scowled. Severus's tone was bitter. "I suppose the Governors' opinions have never had anything to do with me being denied a post I am uniquely qualified to teach."

"I assure you, Severus, it never has. That decision has always been mine alone." The old man raised a hand to silence him when Severus opened his mouth to protest. "You are needed here at Hogwarts for as long as it is possible for you to remain. If you are correct that Voldemort will at some point attempt to take control of the school, your presence here will be a safeguard for the students. I cannot risk losing you at the end of the school year if it can be avoided, Severus. Your appointment would be a last resort."

"Not only did I earn an Outstanding on my Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T., but I have studied the subject extensively after leaving school and have an intimate..." Severus abruptly halted, absently rubbing at the spot on his left forearm where the Dark Mark was imprinted on the skin. Correcting himself, he said firmly, "I have a very thorough, working knowledge of the Dark Arts."

"I am fully aware of your qualifications, Severus." Dumbledore's eyes wandered from Severus's face to the window. "However, it is in your best interests...and the best interests of the students...for your application to be denied."

"Headmaster, you are making a mistake," Severus said, making an effort not to sound as angry as he felt. It was always 'in his best interests,' according to Dumbledore. More likely, Severus thought venomously, it's in his best interests. Merlin forbid, if he was required to explain to the Board of Governors why a former Death Eater was teaching a course concerning the Dark Arts. "You don't trust me as much as you claim to, do you?"

Dumbledore watched him quietly for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry you feel that way, Severus, because I do trust you. I trust you with the students, with the school, with the role you have volunteered to take on. Again, you are needed right where you are. However, if a suitable candidate cannot be found, that may change."

"Very well, sir. I shall not keep you." Not wanting to linger, he rose to his feet and headed to the door, black robes billowing in his wake. After the door closed behind him, all pretenses of calm evaporated as he stormed down the tightly spiraling staircase.

A few weeks later, Callista and her suitcase were slammed to the ground just outside the boundaries of Hogwarts. She scrambled rather ungracefully to her feet, brushing herself off and taking in her surroundings. The towers of the ancient castle rose gracefully against the gray sky. It was breathtakingly beautiful. She felt once again like a wide-eyed eleven-year-old seeing it for the first time. The gates were chained and most likely warded. The letter had instructed her to signal her arrival with a Patronus, which she had been practicing for a week. She couldn't even remember the last time she had seen a Dementor let alone had needed to protect herself from one, but it would be easier to cast a Patronus without the distraction of every bad experience she had ever had tormenting her.

"Focus, Callista. It's like riding a bicycle; you never really forget." She filled herself with the happiest thought she could remember and pointed her wand skyward. "Expecto Patronum!"

A partially formed, silver creature erupted from the wand's tip and sailed toward the tower. "Guess I need a better memory."

Momentarily, a tall figure approached the gates. As the person came closer, she recognized her old Head of House and memories washed warmly over her. Callista felt a telltale prickling in the corners of her eyes, and her voice was slightly choked when she said, "Hello, Professor McGonagall."

"As a security measure, I need to ask you a question first," the older woman said, carefully keeping her voice emotionless. "Can you tell me what happened the very first time you came to my office?"

What? She hadn't been expecting something like this. Callista racked her brain for a minute. Of course she remembered! "I cried during Transfiguration," she began, her face reddening, "because I couldn't manage to make any changes in the toothpick that was supposed to be turned into a pin... or maybe it was a needle. You took me to your office after class and gave me ginger newts and treated me so kindly. It turned out I was just homesick, and that was why I couldn't make anything work right. The very next class I transfigured it correctly."

For a moment the witch said nothing, and Callista thought that perhaps she had answered incorrectly. But then McGonagall's stern lips quivered as she tapped the lock on the gate to open it. Stepping out of the protection of the castle wards, she pulled Callista into a trembling embrace. "Welcome home, my dear girl!"

A few hours later, Callista...uncomfortably dressed in traditional wizarding attire...was sitting in Headmaster Dumbledore's office. He and Professor McGonagall were reviewing her credentials. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s in Arithmancy, Runes, Charms, Herbology, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts... Muggle degrees in biology and botany... American Wizarding degrees in cryptobiology and magical plant studies... Then they questioned her at length about her knowledge of the Dark Arts.

Professor McGonagall seemed more than slightly surprised. "This is very impressive, considering you have been living as a Muggle for the last fifteen years, Professor Hawkins."

"That's not entirely accurate," Callista said patiently, knowing full-well that all things Muggle were looked down upon even by the most open-minded in the wizarding community and that foreign degrees were considered almost worthless regardless of how much more advanced or more extensive they were when compared to a two or even three year apprenticeship. "It would be more correct to say I have been living among Muggles. I never ceased practicing magic as my American Wizarding degrees should prove."

"I think," Dumbledore said politely, interrupting McGonagall when she opened her mouth to argue, "it would be helpful if you explained some of your... adventure to us."

Lifting her chin, Callista answered, "When I left, I needed to make both a life and a living for myself. That was not something I could have easily done by passing myself off as a Muggle. I'm a witch and, had I tried to live only in the Muggle world, I would have eventually called unwanted attention to myself. "

"How did you mange to remain hidden all this time?" McGonagall asked.

This was the part that she had been dreading the most, accounting for those years she had been missing and assumed dead. "The wizarding world is too small a place in which to conceal one's self for any length of time. The Muggle world, however, can offer greater anonymity once you learn how to live in it. I needed and wanted to go somewhere that offered both. The first step was to change my name; I adopted my mother's maiden name, O'Brien, for this purpose. It wasn't much of an effort to Transfigure a Muggle birth certificate and passport.

"I spent a little over a year in the Mediterranean, learning as much as I could about ancient wizarding history, healing, and culture, but I eventually decided I needed formalized training. That was when I made the decision to go to the United States...the wizarding population was large enough to hide in without going completely underground. Although," Callista added with a smile, "Australia was a close second choice. "

"Why? The war was over; you could have come back," McGonagall asked.

Callista steadied herself, not knowing how much information they were aware of as to why she had disappeared in the first place. She wasn't going to give up anything unless it was absolutely necessary. "Freedom for one thing," she said truthfully. "It's so different over there. Magic can live among Muggle as long as the laws of commonsense are adhered to. There is no pure-blood supremacy; in fact, I was a bit of a curiosity. But living openly in a world that had long been denied me was very appealing. There was so much to learn...music, science, and literature. All of it was so new and exciting."

"So you immersed yourself in the culture and never looked back," Dumbledore said, nodding in understanding.

Callista averted her eyes. "More than once I thought about returning," she said, "but I didn't want to return only to end up a lonely spinster or make a politically correct match for the sake of pleasing my parents. When I was out of the country, there were no limits to what I could become, and I embraced the opportunities."

"Before we decide whether or not to ask if you would be willing to embrace a teaching opportunity at Hogwarts, I have one final question," Dumbledore said with a curious smile. "What exactly is your Patronus?"

Callista felt her cheeks blaze. A vision of the job offer swirling down the loo came to mind. She reluctantly admitted, "It's a bit of a lame duck."

"Animals are usually whole and healthy in their Patronus form," McGonagall said, looking both confused and worried.

"My apologies, Professor McGonagall. I meant it's not fully formed," Callista clarified, remembering that a malformed Patronus could indicate mental problems, which was definitely not the impression she wanted to give them. "There are no Dementors in the States. I haven't had the need to use a Patronus in... well, since I left."

The two professors exchanged glances, and Callista felt a sudden sinking sensation. It was over. Of all the idiotic things that could have happened, her inability to cast a proper Patronus had turned out to be the stumbling block.

"Professor Hawkins, starting in the fourth year of Defense Against the Dark Arts, there is now an emphasis on practical defense." The twinkle had gone out of Dumbledore's eyes. "It would be difficult, if not impossible, for you to teach a spell you have not mastered yourself."

She had mastered it at one point; she was merely out of practice. Callista realized that so much of what she had learned in magical defense had been tucked far away in the recesses of her mind because it hadn't been relevant. It was doubtful that she could teach older students, most of whom may have used defensive spells regularly, with any confidence. She felt as if coming here had been a huge waste of time. If only it had been a Potions position. No, she thought, I've mostly taught about magical plants and their uses. My potions are good and surely adequate enough to keep up with the N.E.W.T. level students. Unfortunately, if the qualification standards are the same as they had been when I took my N.E.W.T.s, the examination committee would frown upon any changes or improvements to the standard brewing instructions.

She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, professors, but it looks as if I'm only qualified on paper. Had it been Herbology, or even Potions, I feel I would have been a suitable candidate, but...."

"I understand, Callista," the headmaster replied. "Where will you be staying?"

"A small hotel in Muggle London, sir" Callista answered calmly, expecting him to question why she wasn't staying at The Three Broomsticks or the Leaky Cauldron. "I needed to be able to contact Dr. Pike and inform him of my safe arrival, and Muggle methods of communication are better over long distances. I will be meeting my mother at the Leaky Cauldron first thing tomorrow and getting the things I need for my extended stay." Callista paused before adding, "Thank you for contacting her for me first. It has made things much less awkward. At least I've been forewarned about changes in my family."

There was a sorrowful look in the old man's eyes, and when Callista glanced over at Professor McGonagall, she saw she wasn't the only one in the room holding back tears. Dumbledore spoke to her in a tone of utmost sympathy, "I am very sorry for your loss. Your father was a respected Auror and great man."

"Thank you, sir." Callista extended her hand to each of the professors in turn as they said their good-byes.

Dressed once again in her normal attire and with her suitcase in hand, Callista was escorted from the castle by Professor McGonagall. They didn't discuss the interview on the brief walk to the gate; Callista didn't want to think about it. Instead, McGonagall briefed her on the latest political changes...mostly new names in different departments. With one final embrace for her old mentor, Callista stepped outside the castle's wards and Apparated to London.

Later that evening, Mc Gonagall and Dumbledore met to discuss their latest DADA candidate. They agreed that Callista's lack of defense skills made her ill-suited for the position as far as preparing students for formal exams; however, her general knowledge of the subject was adequate enough for her to instruct everything but O.W.L and N.E.W.T. classes.

"It seems a shame to turn her away, especially after everything your friend Dr. Pike explained about her situation," McGonagall said, swirling the last of her wine around in the goblet.

"I agree. She would have made a loyal addition to the staff," Dumbledore said, nodding in agreement. "She could have been useful to the Order as well. If I recall correctly, her ambition was to become a Healer. Perhaps we could convince her to stay and work in that capacity."

"Albus, Callista has fashioned a new life for herself!" McGonagall exclaimed, nearly dropping her goblet in surprise. "Why on earth would she want to stay only to involve herself in a fight that is no longer hers?"

"She has lost as much as anyone else," he stated matter-of-factly. "Surely she would want to see her family live in the same peaceful conditions she has enjoyed over the years."

"Are you going to consider offering her the Defense post?" McGonagall asked, narrowing her eyes. "As she said herself, she isn't competent enough to teach the NEWT students. We cannot afford to have another instructor who is incapable of teaching the class. After having Umbridge here, the Board of Governors..." The deputy headmistress stopped abruptly as if a thought had finally dawned on her. "Are you going to offer the post to Severus and let Callista teach Potions?"

Dumbledore rose to his feet and began pacing. He needed Severus to remain at the school for as long as possible, and if the theory that the position was cursed was indeed true, this could very well be Severus's last year at Hogwarts. Having recently learned that several students, including Harry, had not achieved the requisite Outstanding mark on their O.W.L.s. to continue with Potions, perhaps appointing Callista as the Potions mistress would be for the best. Severus had suggested more than once that he could possibly persuade Voldemort to lift the curse, provided it truly existed, if it could be turned to his advantage. Dumbledore knew Severus was more than willing to take the risk; however, he was not.

"Albus," McGonagall said, breaking through his thoughts, "I know it sounds unorthodox, but what about dividing the two positions?"

Dumbledore stopped pacing and turned to face her. "I beg your pardon?"

"Why not divide the posts?" she replied. "Severus could teach the older students, and Callista could teach the younger ones."

"Minerva, in theory it would be a good idea," said Dumbledore with an air of forced patience. "However, it would need to be done the other way around for it to be of benefit to those who didn't qualify for N.E.W.T. Potions. Unfortunately, we agreed that Callista is not suited to teaching the more advanced students."

"I think," McGonagall began drily, "you could convince Severus that such a division would be beneficial."

The two of them discussed the changes that would be brought about if Severus and Callista accepted the newly divided posts, working well into the night. Tomorrow morning Dumbledore would contact her with their offer, and Callista would be invited to join the Order.

A/N: After seeing McGonagall's reaction to Harry's death at the end of DH, I find it very possible that she would react strongly to seeing one of her 'deceased' students alive and well.