10 years later
Hermione clenched her jaw.
"Do I really have to stay there?" she asked, her hands also inadvertently balling into fists.
Kingsley nodded.
"Part of the terms of secondment is that the investigating officer resides at the address for the period of investigation to ensure that the investigation is thorough and that any disclosures can be obtained at any hour," he recited, as though weary of the words himself.
He looked at her apologetically, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I am sorry that we need to do this. We both know that Hogwarts runs perfectly well without any interference, better than it ever has, in fact, with Minerva McGonagall in charge-"
Hermione snorted, causing Kingsley to furrow his brow. She bit down the bitterness that threatened to spill from her clenched jaw, her teeth clamping furiously.
"Yes, well. There's her, and the fact that Voldemort doesn't keep trying to murder students at the end of every school year. That also helps immensely."
Kingsley chuckled, and it was enough to make him overlook Hermione's queer response to hearing her one time mentor's name.
"Look on it as a holiday, of sorts. You always loved being at school, yes?"
Hermione nodded tightly.
"So, just enjoy being there and submit a report at the end of your tenure that's thorough and glowing enough to keep all happy until she retires."
Hermione nodded again. She had no choice, that she could see. Declining the role would severely hamper her progress at the ministry. Having worked through three successive internships, she had secured a contract working within the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She held aspirations of slowly introducing and implementing changes, beginning through children's education and building up into Magical Law Enforcement, that would eventually lead to a complete renovation of how Wizarding society learned about and co-existed with underprivileged non-humans. She had initially jumped at the offered secondment to the Department of Magical Education, relishing the prospect of a new project to sink into and another opening to begin the process of overhauling Wizarding attitudes to other sentient beings. However, Kingsley had neglected to mention, until now, stalling her quill on the contract the exact terms of the contract, answering the question of why she was one of the very few to apply for the post. Most former Hogwartians would blanch at even the thought of having to evaluate Minerva McGonagall; Hermione herself wasn't even sure, now, if she wanted to go ahead with the job. She had, after all, adored the school, and the life it had opened up for her, and wasn't relishing creating stress for the staff she had great respect for. But if she were honest with herself, she would prefer it to be her that got to the bottom of any hidden truths surrounding the Headmistress than anyone else. She felt she deserved it. Not that Kingsley was expecting her to find anything amiss, but…
"Kingsley? Why now? I mean, has anyone raised any… issues? With… the Headmistress?"
Kingsley rolled his eyes. "The board of governors and the funding body of the Ministry that contributes to the continuing growth of the school just wish an independent evaluator to determine that the educational criteria is being adhered to, and that certain higher commanding roles are functioning adequately. It's been noted that, whilst the Ministry shouldn't interfere with the daily running of the school, there should be some feedback about its management, and a few people raised concerns that should the school run unchecked for much longer, we may have another Dumbledore episode. No one denies that the man was great," he continued hastily, holding up his hands as Hermione opened her mouth. "But what was agreed was that some of his… techniques were somewhat unorthodox, and that current and future staff members should know that there are other support networks in place, should they need it. No one has raised any specific concerns, this is just a general investigation."
Hermione swallowed, conflicted. A part of her was relieved. Kingsley was right, after all; she loved that school. More to the point, she had been fiercely devoted to… the Headmistress. The part of her that had festered since the day after The Battle, however, raged that still, there was no light being shed on the boiling questions inside her. That part of her resolved that she would be thorough; that she wouldn't glow but dig and delve until she was satisfied.
She sighed in resignation, then banished the ink blots her hovering quill had made and decisively signed the contract. "When do I leave?"
"Anybody worth keeping an eye out for in the new batch?" Pomona asked as she helped herself to a large dollop of mashed potato. Filius shook his head as he levitated a couple of chicken drumsticks onto his plate, taking advantage of the last meal at which he could be lazy with his magic. There would be no time for a leisurely breakfast, preoccupied as they all would be in preparing themselves for the first day of the school year come tomorrow. "The usual, nothing extraordinary."
"Let's hope it's a herald of the year to come. Some semblance of normality before the influx of Weasley's begins again," Minerva said, a small smile betraying the horror in her tone.
Pomona laughed. "I daresay it's been too quiet these last few years,"
"Arguably!" Poppy interjected, to a bout of laughter around the staff table.
"The Ministry investigator will be arriving along with the students," Minerva said casually, carefully considering her meat. No less than ten pairs of eyes fixated on her.
"The what?" Rolanda asked eventually, when it became clear that Minerva wouldn't be elaborating. Minerva placed her cutlery down to meet several astonished looks. "The Ministry is sending someone to draw up a report on the running of the school. It's a general investigation, no specific concerns," she repeated what had fast become Kingsley's mantra. "Everyone just wants assurance that we're churning out well-rounded individuals. Nothing to be concerned about. It'll not affect your routines in the slightest."
The tone of Minerva's voice suggested that she would make sure of it, as opposed to that having been stipulated.
"It's not going to be another bloody Umbridge, is it?" Rolanda asked. Sybill visibly paled.
"No no. It's not a power trip by the Minister. He's merely appeasing the governors and certain departments. No Toad," she smiled conspiratorially, giving Sybill the smallest of winks when the woman grew back to her normal height.
"So, who's it to be, then, any ideas?" Poppy asked. Minerva turned back to her plate.
"Hermione Granger," she answered, at which most of the staff let out sighs of relief and returned to tucking into their meal.
"Not so bad, then," Pomona said cheerfully. "And Longbottom'll be here come tomorrow, too. Good kids. How long's she here for?"
"Until Christmas," Minerva responded. Too nonchalantly, and too quietly, Filius thought, studying his friend carefully, as Pomona "Ah, lovelied" her way into reminiscing. His brow furrowed. He hoped that he was merely imagining disquiet where there was none, though watching Minerva push food around her plate but not actually eating more than a forkful, he highly doubted it.
A/N: Things will start to flesh out shortly. Forgot to mention that the title is taken from the Emily Dickinson poem 'There's a certain Slant of Light' (320)
I just liked the connotations and the metaphors it suggests.
Thank you for the reviews. Sorry if I neglect to reply. All constructive criticisms gratefully received, on top of your wonderful words of encouragement.