Author's Note

My husband and I are getting a divorce. Writing and editing this fic has been one of my few escapes these past few weeks. I mention this because each and every one of your reviews has been uplifting in a way that you cannot imagine, and so I am beyond thankful to everyone reading this.

Numbers in [brackets] denote footnotes, which you can find at the bottom of the chapter.

Nothing from the wizarding world of Harry Potter is mine.

~ Refictionista, October 18, 2016

§ Chapter III §
Conversing via Flooious

Inner Temple Chambers, Hogyrotoli School of Thaumaturge and Sorcery
Five years later

"Tell me, Minerva, what exactly do you wish to accomplish?" Severus Maximus Snappa's image wavered in the fire's shimmering green glow.

The old sorceress straightened her shoulders. "I should think my intention would be obvious."

"She is of low-birth and, even worse, a slave." There was a distinct curl of his lip at the last part.

"She is the brightest witch of our age. I have never met her equal, not once."

"More talented than yourself?" he scoffed.

Shadows from the green flames of the Flooious gave her expression a truly intimidating appearance. "By far, Severus."

The face in the fire remained unconvinced; his lips curled again in a disapproving sneer.

The headmistress tapped her wand in her hand, pacing back and forth once more. "I have been planning this for years, ever since the death of the Lady Astoria. I've known his son would need a tutor for some time, and now the boy is of age to be educated... well, she's perfect for the task."

"I don't question her suitability to the task. It's your additional ambitions for her that might reach too far. However, far be it for me to go against your wishes. I'll pass along your recommendation."

"Thank you, Severus. It has been a pleasure, as always."

The face of Rome's most intimidating mystical adviser rolled his eyes and faded in a puff of green ash as the flames died down to burning gleeds. The most illustrious sorceress in the empire smirked as the light faded.

Minerva called for a house-elf to bring Hermione to her.

"I'm here, Madam Minerva," said a lilting voice coming from a respectful distance outside Minerva's private chambers.

The old headmistress turned to the doorway behind her. "Come here, my child. Now, have a seat."

"Have I done something wrong again, Madam?" Hermione said quickly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. The library was beckoning and before—"

"Dear girl, I haven't summoned you for apologies."

"Please let me ask for forgiveness," insisted Hermione.

Minerva sighed. "If you'll feel better."

"Yes, you see, I had the most marvelous idea of using mermaid song to send secret messages inside golden vessels, and so to research the idea I let myself into the Restricted Section without permission. Which brings me to another transgression, Madam Minerva."

Hermione closed her eyes and cringed slightly before taking a deep breath and continuing.

"I sent a six foot long scroll to the high priests at Poseidon's temple letting them know the depictions of mermaids on their frescoes and stone reliefs were completely inaccurate and overly sexualized. I may have called... well, I did call them dirty old men. Worse, I can't seem to stop saying these things. Everything I think and feel, really."

She stole a peek from between her lashes at her mentor.

The headmistress chuckled. "Some call that 'honesty'."

"Oh, but it's terrible, Madam Minerva!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Hermione... when you first came to this school and longed to be with us, that didn't mean you were prepared for the way we live here, did it?"

"No, Madam, but I try. And I am learning. I really am."

"What is the most important lesson you have learned here?"

"To find out what is the will of the Gods and use their magical gifts to the best of my ability."

"Hermione... it seems to be the will of the Gods you leave us."

"Leave?"

"Only for a while."

"No, Madam! Please don't send me away! This is where I belong. It's my home, I've learned so much here. This is my life. I want to stay and teach."

"Are you truly ready for teaching here? To have this institution control your ownership?"

"Yes, I am."

"If you go out into the world for a time, knowing what we expect of you, then you will find out if you can expect it of yourself."

"I know what you expect, Madam, and I can do it! I promise I can!"

"There is a family in need of a praeceptor[11] before the end of Sextilis."[12]

"By September?"

"Yes, and since they are in Rome you would need to leave immediately."

"Rome?!"

"Have you ever wanted to visit the Eternal City and capital of our empire?"

"Well, yes, but Rome is so far from here."

"Distance is merely a construct of those without magic, Hermione. I will tell Severus Maximus Snappa that the senator can expect you by mid to late summer."

Hermione paled. "Senator?" she asked.

"A cunning politician and a powerful mage. A retired officer of the Imperial Army. His wife died, and he is alone with his son. I understand he has had a difficult time finding a worthy tutor."

"Why difficult, Madam Minerva?" asked Hermione, her nose crinkling in suspicion.

"The Gods will show you in their own good time."

§

Footnotes:

[11] translation: tutor

[12] Sextilis ("sixth") was the Latin name for what was originally the sixth month in the Roman calendar. After the calendar reform produced a twelve-month year, Sextilis became the eighth month, but retained its name until it was renamed Augustus (August) in honor of the first Roman emperor, Augustus. Sextilis followed Quinctilis, which was renamed Julius (July) after Julius Caesar, and preceded September (from septem, "seven"), which was originally the seventh month.