Red Tape
by sleepy queens
"The overall cost of education could be lowered if professor took on more teaching hours and did less research," Victoire said, for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Headmaster Penelope Clearwater bristled, looking pretty as ever with her cheeks flushed in irritation.
"Well, Mrs. Lupin, the focus on faculty research and higher quality education is the hallmark of my legacy. Research grants enable us to attract the brightest witches and wizards back to Hogwarts when there are so many lucrative public sector jobs available," Penelope warned, with a level, even voice, not betraying the anger flashing behind her eyes. She, although a revolutionary headmaster in many aspects, her background as Jewish muggleborn only one of them, did not possess the legendary emotional control of Dumbledore. She was, at the core, a woman of passion and reason, despite her best efforts to appear cryptic and all-powerful. "We need more professors and more teaching assistants, if anything, sweet pea."
Sweet pea. A pet name she hadn't heard for years, bringing back memories of discrete trysts. It was uncharacteristic of ultra-professional Penelope to slip up like that. The budget negotiations must've been making her more even flustered than she was letting on.
"We can't afford any more budget cuts right now, Mrs. Lupin. Perhaps your cousin on the alumni fundraising committee could be of assistance," Penelope continued, without stopping for as much as a breath, pretending as if she hadn't just accidentally called a married woman by a decade-old pet name.
Victoire signed. Off course she could talk to Lily Luna about money again, but she really didn't want to. The youngest Potter had been claiming she was fundraising for over two years but had yet to have anything to show for it. And Victoire could hardly take that claim to the Wizengamot Education Committee for the fourth meeting in a row.
"Prof- Headmaster Clearwater-"
"You can call me Penelope," the Headmaster interjected, examining a piece of dirt under her nail instead of making eye contact.
"Penelope," Victoire repeated, rolling the word over her tongue. She could remember third year, walking into her first Arithmancy class. Fifth year, being Professor Clearwater's star pupil. Sixth year, private study sessions peppered with too-obvious flirting. Seventh year, their first kiss, the first time Victoire tasted Professor Clearwater's honey-and-cranberry lips, the first time hands wandered onto not-quite-innocent patches of skin, the first time the older woman pulled away. And now they were on a first name basis. And now Victoire held all the power. Oh, how things change.
"I need to tell the Wizengamot something. They're tired of waiting for alumni generosity."
Penelope took a sip of butterbeer, looking straight at Victoire with the large, warm grey eyes she'd come to know so well over the years.
"Fine. Tell them we'll consider being flexible about some faculty research and reduce hours for teaching assistants," she said finally.
"Thank you."
"Now, I didn't say you were right. But be sure they realize these changes will negatively affect our children's education," Penelope said, raising an eyebrow disapprovingly.
"Of course," Victoire said, grateful the meeting had finally ended. "I meant thank you for your cooperation."
"Well," the older witch said, with a twinkle in her eye, "Can't make your job too hard, after all."
Victoire reached across the table, placing her hand on top of Penelope's.
"I'm glad I can always depend on you," she said, voice low, something wayward in her tone.
"Always. Would you like to grab some lunch in my quarters?"
Victoire grinned and nodded, food the last thing on her mind.
A/N: Written for the Journey Through Hogwarts Challenge and Femslash February. I'd love any kind of feedback :)