Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the Harry Potter characters.
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Ch. 3
Night at the Round Table
Miriam opened her eyes and stretched slowly under her throw blanket. After Severus took his leave, Miriam decided that a short nap was in order. Now that she felt refreshed, Miriam let her eyes take in her bed chamber. Miriam had to admit that she was just as impressed with the furnishings here as she was with her sitting room. The room boasted a large four-poster bed done again in dark wood and ornate carvings. The linens in the room were a dark blue, offset with touches of light gray. The floor sported gray carpet as well. Miriam threw back the soft chenille blanket and padded over to the large armoire that stood against the wall opposite the foot of the bed. As she opened the door and examined the interior, Miriam was already planning where she would place her clothes. She walked over to the window and fingered the heavy blue drapes as she gazed out on the grounds. Miriam turned away from the window, and decided to continue her exploration.
Miriam next brought her attention to the two closed doors that led off her bed chamber. The first door she opened was a well-sized walk-in closet. Miriam nodded in appreciation- with a few adjustments and shelves she would have plenty of room for her robes, dresses and shoes. The second door opened to the bathroom. This room had stone floors and beige walls, with copper and black accents. There was a large shower and a high circular window that offered natural light and privacy. Miriam smiled and walked over to the room's focal point- a large copper bathtub with a beautiful curved silhouette sat flush to the floor. Miriam noticed that the large tub would easily accommodate two people. For a moment, Miriam entertained the idea of a bath, but for the sake of time decided on a quick shower so that she would have more time to get ready.
After her shower, Miriam sat at the vanity and worked her fingers through her damp curls. While her hands deftly did their work, she let her thoughts go back to the events of the last few hours. She smiled when she thought of Mille and Dumbledore's kindness. Miriam chuckled when she remembered how her arrival had left Severus at a loss for words. It was good to see Severus again. The three years she had been in Wales left her little time to come back for leisurely visits. Miriam and Severus had only managed to meet once during that time.
Miriam sighed and ran her wand over her hair, drying it slightly. As she continued to work through her curls, she wondered what to make of Severus looking her over. By his reaction, Severus obviously hadn't intended on being found out. It happened to Miriam before; it just surprised her that it was Severus doing the looking. It had taken an entire year of being in the same house, sharing classes and being paired up together on projects for Severus to extend any overture of friendship to Miriam. Since it took them that long to become friends, it surprised Miriam at how intense and bold Severus had been. Miriam's hands stilled and her eyes closed. She could still feel the heat from his gaze hours later. With a deep breath, Miriam forced her eyes open and continued on with her hair.
Miriam had always known Severus was snarky, with a sharp wit and equally sharp tongue to match. There was no denying that Severus lacked in social skills. Hell, Miriam thought, he makes a Hungarian Horntail seem soft and cuddly. Despite his perceived shortcomings, Miriam was grateful to get to know as much of the person underneath the façade as Severus would allow her to. She reveled in the few times that she saw glimpses of his baser nature; shy and vulnerable, with a smile that smoothed the sharp features of his face. Miriam reveled in their conversations and every letter she received from him she had kept tucked away in a box so she could re-read them at her leisure. Severus was a dear friend.
Miriam realized that was her issue. She had always viewed Severus as one of her closest friends, and never as a man with needs. But, she reasoned, as he was a man obviously he would have need for female companionship. Had he ever sought out the company of women? Miriam wondered what would happen if their relationship changed. Did she want it to? Did she even want that in her life now? Would Miriam lose her dear friend in the process? With a final shake of her head, Miriam decided to table her random thoughts. She was probably over analyzing the situation and seeing things that weren't even there.
Miriam turned her attention to the trunk at the foot of her bed. As she rummaged through it, she pulled out a long dress in a dusty plum color with a square neckline and long sleeves. Miriam loved the look of this dress; how the bodice fitted with a drop waist and the skirt flared over her hips to the ankles. There was a border of vines embroidered around the hem and neckline in a lighter shade of plum. Miriam added a pair of stunning satin heels that matched the color of her dress and a black pair of teaching robes to complete her outfit. She went light on makeup and put her hair up in a low bun at the nape of her neck, keeping plenty of curls to frame her face. She went without jewelry, opting instead for a small fascinator in her hair made with black and plum feathers to bring the look together. Miriam gave her appearance one last glance and headed down to the Great Hall to meet her colleagues.
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Severus arrived in the Great Hall early so he could watch the reactions to Miriam's entrance. He strode up to the raised platform where a large round table stood. As he walked over to the side bar, he surreptitiously took in those already present while he busied his hands by pouring a glass of wine. Sprout and Hooch were over in a far corner, their heads bent low discussing Merlin knew what, while Flitwick had just arrived through the large doors. Severus noticed Minerva and Albus engaged in a discussion over by the platform's stairs. Off to his left, Professor Sinistra let out a soft laugh and Severus drew his attention to where she stood.
Immediately Severus' eyes narrowed. Sinistra was in deep discussion with the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Bertrand Biggins. Severus had avoided interacting with Biggins as much as possible the past few weeks. Severus felt he was an arrogant ass; showy and ill-equipped to teach the Dark Arts post. It still bothered Severus that Dumbledore wouldn't consider him for that position. Severus brought his attention back to Minerva and Albus just as the Headmaster made a hand motion towards Severus and then to the doors. Minerva's eyes followed the gesture and then came to settle back on Severus. Minerva narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips at Severus as Albus gestured for him to join their group.
"Albus, Minerva," Severus said as he approached. He took a small sip of his wine as Minerva wasted no time in making her vexations known.
"Severus, Albus has just informed me that you met our new Charms professor this afternoon." Minerva stated.
"I did," Severus said.
Minerva looked at Severus, clearly expecting him to elaborate. Severus merely looked back at her with a passive expression and silence, but inside he was smirking. Oh, how Severus enjoyed stirring Minerva's ire over trivial things. Minerva opened her mouth to make a retort, but at that moment the doors opened and a figure slipped through. All side conversations stopped and several of the professors stepped closer to the edge of the platform. Severus took another sip of his wine and glanced over at Minerva.
Severus watched Minerva's cat-like eyes narrow as she took in the approaching witch. The expression on Minerva's face abruptly went from curiosity to recognition as she clasped her hands and brought them up to her lips.
"Oh!" Minerva exclaimed as she rushed down the stairs towards Miriam and enveloped her into a large hug. Severus watched as Miriam returned the embrace, her countenance relaxed and a small smile on her lips.
"My, my, my. Who do we have here?" Professor Biggins drawled out. He had slipped beside Severus during Miriam's entrance. "What a lovely young witch. I might have to take some time to…..how should I put it…get to know her better," Biggins said with a smirk.
Severus frowned and bit back a retort as he watched Minerva lead Miriam up to the platform. Severus did admit to himself that Miriam looked very nice. Her dress was well-made and fit Miriam in all the right places. With her hair up and the feathers, she looked like a proper pure-blood witch. It was just that Severus didn't like Biggins' remarks, the lecher was at least fifteen years Miriam's senior and undeserving of her attention.
Miriam smiled as she shook hands and made introductions with those of the staff she did not know, one of the first being Biggins. She received warm welcomes and some hugs from her past professors as Minerva stood off to the side beaming. She looks like a mother hen that found her lost chick, Severus thought. Severus was about to take another sip of wine when Miriam glanced over at him and gave him a questioning look. He nodded back and inclined his head towards the table. Miriam walked over and waited for Severus to pull out her chair and then sat. Severus then took the seat to Miriam's left, and Minerva immediately claimed the seat to her right. The rest of the staff filled the empty seats and light chatter resumed as the first course appeared on the gold plates.
Before Miriam could even tuck in, the questions started. It was like being the object of a firing squad. Hagrid wanted to know when he could expect Miriam for tea. Professor Flitwick wanted to know all about her apprenticeship and when they could get together to go over class duties. Of course, Minerva wanted Miriam to show her Animagus to the third-year Transfiguration classes. Madam Hooch had hoped Miriam remembered her broom and expected to see her on the pitch very soon. Miriam handled they volley of questions being thrown at her with grace and tried her best to eat the delicious food on her plate before the course changed.
Even though the barrage of questions was irksome, the most frustrating aspect of dinner for Miriam was by far Professor Biggins. Miriam heartily disliked the way he kept looking at her, as though she were a prize turkey in the poulterer's window. She knew immediately that he was the type of wizard who saw women as a novelty, a plaything to amuse himself with. Biggins sat through the litany of questions the other professor's had for Miriam with a smirk on his lips and waited for the lull.
"So, Professor Magowan," Biggins began. "I see you didn't waste any time after your apprenticeship ended before you became published."
Miriam's posture stiffened slightly. She met Biggins' smirk with a level gaze and replied, "Something in your tone Professor leads me to believe you aren't referring to the article I wrote for Conscionable Charms, so perhaps you would care to elaborate?"
"I was referring to your being featured in Witch Weekly, actually," Biggins replied. "I believe it was "The Top 25, Under 25" if memory serves."
"It was," Miriam said. "I assume you read the article?"
"Indeed. A most impressive coup for a witch of your age, being paired with wizards of such caliber," Biggins said.
"I'm afraid you'll have to fill some of us in dear," Flitwick squeaked. "Not all of us read that magazine."
Miriam sighed. Best get this out-of-the-way now. "In short, the article featured twenty-five outstanding wizards or witches under the age of twenty-five for their wealth, humanitarian efforts, or advancements to the wizarding world. I came in at number seventeen. I was also the only witch on the list," Miriam finished.
"Don't forget you also graced the front cover—quite beautifully, I must say," Professor Biggins said with a smile. "I feel as though I learned so much about you from reading the article."
Miriam kept her face neutral but arched a brow at the professor seated across from her. He was really starting to get on her nerves, but she wasn't about to let it show. Instead she replied, "You may have read an article, but you don't know my story. You've heard what I have done, not what I've been through."
At that, Biggins leaned forward and said, "Is there anyone out there who truly knows Miriam Magowan?"
Miriam pressed her lips into a thin line and simply said, "A very select few."
An awkward silence settled over the table. Professor Dumbledore saw the opportunity to ease the discomfort and took it.
"Well, I'm pleased that you are here, and I can't wait to see the wonderful things that this group here tonight will carry out," Professor Dumbledore said as he raised his glass.
"Hear, hear," the table toasted to the Headmasters sentiment. Miriam was briefly lost in thought as she tried to deduce what Biggins was playing at. As Miriam took a small sip of wine from her glass, she looked over at Severus. Severus' expression was unreadable as always, but in his eyes Miriam could see his annoyance over the conversation. Miriam gave him a soft smile and watched as his eyes softened slightly. He gave her a small nod and returned to his plate. Miriam made a mental note to speak with Severus soon about Bertrand Biggins, but in the meantime she would do her best to avoid him so that she wouldn't be tempted to hex him.
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A/N: A little more of setting the scene *sigh*. I'm getting there, hang on. I actually do have this story mapped out to completion in my head, I'm just unsure how many chapters it will take to finish.
For those who are curious, a fascinator is the name given to those wonderful, feathery hairpieces you often see British royalty wearing. Thanks for reading!
