Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and many of the settings in this story. JK Rowling does.
The remaining teachers of Hogwarts were all seated behind a long mahogany table. The now Headmistress McGonagall was seated in a high backed chair in the middle. The overall effect was somewhat intimidating.
Hogwarts had three open posts this semester. The Transfiguration Professor was now Headmistress, and had far more important things to do. Last year's newly appointed Potions Master, Horace Slughorn, had long left the grounds. The safe appeal of Hogwarts castle was slightly diminished for him by the long standing Headmaster being murdered on grounds by a member of staff. And Severus Snape, the newly appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, had scarpered.
McGonagall rifled through her papers impressively. Today was the interview of Miss Abrianna Black. McGonagall had been looking forward to this.
Black had come about the Potions position. She was sitting in the middle of the room, wearing sensible blue robes, her hair pulled back off her face. She pushed a lock of stray hair behind her ear and replaced her hands neatly on her lap.
'Miss Black,' McGonagall began, 'you're here about the Potions position?'
'Yes.' Black answered calmly.
'I've not seen you in long time, Abrianna Black.' Professor Sinistra smiled down at her.
'Yes. After I left Hogwarts I went to France in search of higher learning. I studied under Jacques Coulee, who was at that time working as potions master in Beauxbatons,' said Black, practicing the infallible interview technique of impressively rounding off one's qualifications at the first given opportunity. 'After that I went to Bulgaria and worked for a well established apothecary. There I gained a great deal of practical experience, including the gathering and preparing some of the rarer ingredients.'
'You seem to have a well rounded degree of experience in potion making,' Professor Vector said, sitting forward and repositioning her hat. 'I don't pretend to have any great experience in Potions myself, but both Professors Slughorn and Snape had practical experience in healing…'
'Ah…' She had been dreading Snape's name cropping up, but at least this way she could dodge him and answer the question. 'I had a three year stint in St. Mungo's when I returned to England. I was a specialised Healer there. I brewed and created anti-dotes and such for them, and in return St. Mungo's trained me in Healing.'
'Well, if you ask me, she sounds grand for the job!' Rubeus Hagrid pronounced gruffly.
'Hmm…,' Pomona Sprout mused, pulling out a stout little pipe and lighting it.
'You have some opinions, Pomona?' McGonagall asked.
'Well,' Professor Sprout began, rather awkwardly puffing from her pipe. 'If I remember correctly, Miss Black here was rather friendly with Severus.'
The Hogwarts staff all rounded on her unconsciously, staring her down. Ah, Abrianna thought to herself, here it was. Her dealings with Snape always came back to bite her in the arse.
'I have not seen or spoken to Mr. Snape in several years, Madam Sprout. And you can rest assured that I was most disturbed by the events of last June.'
The teachers present nodded solemnly and Hagrid pulled out a large spotted handkerchief and blew loudly into it.
'Well,' Madam Hooch began from beside Hagrid, whom she was patting kindly on the lower back, 'I think Miss Black would be most suited to the position.'
'Have we any other questions?' McGonagall asked, peering at her colleagues.
'Do you have any experience heading a House?' tiny Professor Flitwick asked her.
'Which House, Filius?' McGonagall asked, surveying the woman in front of her more thoroughly. 'Do you think it wise to hire a Head of House right off the bat?'
'Well, Minerva, Slytherin and Gryffindor need Heads of House and Miss Black here,' he smiled at her, 'was in Slytherin House. She's had previous teaching experience in Beauxbatons as well. And to be honest, no one on staff wants the Slytherin job. We'll have enough bother finding a Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor…' he trailed off.
'Hmm…,' McGonagall narrowed her eyes and began scrutinising Abrianna Black. 'Do you know...?' she said, pulling out one of Abrianna's arms and, taking a good look at it, began to measure it. Where she had got the measuring tape, Abrianna did not know. Filius Flitwick scuttled over and began examining Abrianna's feet. Abrianna stared at them. Professor Sprout stood and walked over to her, pulling out her stubby wand and shining a light from it into Abrianna's ears and eyes.
'I think I'll keep you in mind, dear,' McGonagall said firmly. 'Anyone who can withstand that kind of behaviour in a job interview can handle the most hormonal of Slytherins.'
She smiled and held out a hand, which Abrianna took and shook firmly. 'Welcome on staff, Miss Black.'
