Chapter 7: Little house (Amanda Seyfried)

All in all, the meeting went well. Hermione began with a clarification on Severus' arrangement with Dumbledore. It turned out McGonagall had already had a talk with his portrait, which explained why he was making himself scarce at the moment.

She understood the reasons why he did not tell her what needed to be kept secret. And it had all worked out in the end. But there were so many things she could have done differently had she known, and less people would have suffered. What she really wanted to know was how Severus had done it: kill Albus, keep both sides in the dark while helping theirs, and protect the students while appearing to be heartless. She wanted to pry him open to understand how he functioned. Maybe it was her competitive side. She certainly was ashamed to have been fooled. But, above all else, she wanted to make it up to him for having misjudged him. Obviously, she knew it was not entirely her fault, but she prided herself on being fair. And she had known him for a long time, since before he had become so skilled at deflecting. As expected he replied to her apology with a "Don't mention it." He did not get that she was more worried about his hurt feelings than her own.

By then Hermione was thinking she should not be there for this. She was intruding again, stealing a meaningful moment. Maybe she and Snape could come up with a way to keep each other up-to-date on the important happenings and shifts they would have to take into account when resuming their regular lives. Well, as regular as our lives can be.

Moving on, they talked about what was going to happen to Severus while the Ministry was organizing the trial. The Minister had entrusted an Unspeakable with the evidence of Severus' loyalty and McGonagall had vouched for him so he could remain in the Castle and continue teaching safely. She would act as a sort of guardian protecting him from the public, and making sure he would not try to run away.

That led them to the subject of the students. She informed Severus of what she had planned. There would be mandatory reviewing classes for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s students in July and August so they would pass their exams during the last two weeks of August. During that time, Hogwarts teachers would be able to go on a vacation. The following year, tutoring would be set up with upperclassmen for anyone not up to par. More importantly, McGonagall was organising a cleansing ritual which should benefit the entire British wizarding community by the end of July. It was a shame it might not work on Muggles. Anyway, she wanted to wait before sharing the details.

Surprisingly, she asked for her opinion and advice on the School administration. Hermione used Severus' memories to see if there was something he wanted implemented. She only could be sure he did not want to stay at Hogwarts for more than a year and thought Slytherins should not live under the lake anymore. It was unsavoury and it only served to set them apart from the others even more. Hermione used that opportunity to convey his feelings and added that tables should not be attributed by House. And perhaps, at the beginning of the next year, the four Houses should be spread more harmoniously, in classes per year. There were already too many fractures among students. She had to stop there because she had many ideas that did not seem Snape-ish enough.

Frustrated, Hermione almost missed the revision of staff for the summer session. She wanted Severus to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts and surprisingly, Hermione to teach Muggle Studies as well as assisting her for Transfiguration. Hermione was stunned and flattered. That was until she remembered who she appeared to be.

"But, Miss Granger has not passed her N.E.W.T.s yet," she pointed out, although it was unnecessary.

"You know as well as I do that she could pass them tomorrow and get better grades than any of the other students," McGonagall argued almost proudly.

"After, the year she has had? You're not serious." Hermione did not have to fake astonishment at her mentor's confidence.

"I am almost positive she knows by heart every seventh year textbooks. She just needs to brush up on her practical skills." Her eyes were glowering at the man's lack of appreciation for Hermione's academic prowess.

How does she know that? "How can you be so sure?"

"I know her. And for what it's worth, I was the same at that age." Her faraway expression revealed she was reminiscing about that time.

Pleased at the recognition, Hermione had to stop herself from jumping up and down in glee. But she did not want Snape to pass the exam for her, not when the grades could shape her whole future. She wanted to prove she could do better than anyone with her own skills. How can I make that happen?

She obnoxiously pointed out "I hear Muggles sometimes organize blind marking. Perhaps it would help guaranty impartiality. We would not want favouritism for Potter's friend now, would we?"

In a tone of distaste, Minerva offered a compromise. "If it would put your mind at ease, you can be her practical examiner, watch over her when she passes the written part, and cast necessary Anti-Cheating Spells. I'll send her anonymous answers to the Ministry to be corrected. It would be quite a time-consuming procedure for you. But, that way, Miss Granger will demonstrate she is talented enough to be accepted as a temporary teacher, until I find a more experienced replacement."

"That sounds more appropriate. Still, you'll have to discuss it with her. She might not feel up to the task." Hermione could not believe how easy it was to belittle herself.

His being harmlessly spiteful made Minerva feel strangely nostalgic. "Now I know you are just trying to get an intense reaction out of me. So, I'll give you the answer you deserve." She clasped her hands together, arched an eyebrow, and smirked at him, which made Hermione laugh. "I hope that means you will be more amenable."

"Do you mean more amenable than usual?" That was Minerva's turn to laugh. "Yes, quite… Well, I hate to disappoint, but I have one condition to my return as a teacher." She motioned for her to go on. "I don't want the Defence Against the Dark Arts position, nor the Potions' one. I will only teach Muggle Studies."

Minerva's eyebrows flew over the rim of her glasses. "Why? I fail to recall you ever mentioning interest in that class or that position."

"Nevertheless, I am interested now. Who knows? I could be trying to change my image, and become everyone's favourite teacher. Or I might just want a change of pace. It would be a symbolic way for me to put my Death Eater past behind me at any rate." Hermione could see a flicker of suspicion on the Headmistress' face. It upset her for some reason. "Oh, think what you will. You always did."

He was right to react that way, but he forgot he was the one that had made it so easy for others to assume the worst of him. Minerva had to force herself not to think he had hidden motives.

She decided to move past the familiar bout of mistrust on both parts, and directly dive into the subject matter. "Do you feel competent? I don't even think you took the class."

"I do. At any rate, I am more erudite and proficient than Miss Granger, on any subject."

"Tooting your own horn not being the least of them, I can see. If you are that confident, here is the paperwork. I expect it all filled out on my desk by the end of the week. Now, we have to discuss your sleeping arrangements." After laying down a large piece of parchment on the desk, she pointed at free quarters on a map of the castle. "Those quarters offer quite a lovely view of the lake which, I am sure, will make the poet in you melt. It has sea-themed decorations as well as a charming library space."

"That should do. Thank you, Minerva. By the way, will Miss Granger get luxurious quarters as well? It seems like quite an honour to bestow on her."

"I don't see why you care. Even you would not be that petty." Ha! "Truthfully, it is not settled yet. I might just place her in the quarters facing yours. You have gotten so close. It would be a shame to separate such a well-matched pair." His eyes narrowed. He pursed his lips. And his cheeks slightly coloured from indignation. He looked younger somehow, and Minerva was having fun teasing him. "Who knows? You were so concerned she might not be a good teacher. She could benefit from asking for your guidance, on a daily basis. And that would benefit the School too. I believe we call that a win-win situation."

"I don't care for your insinuations. And may I remind you I've not signed anything yet?"

"I believe that is my cue to go talk to Miss Granger before dinner. Come upstairs with me to gather your personal effects."

Minerva went straight to a porthole. Luckily, the room showed no indication that Hermione had tried to punish Severus. She Transfigured her handbag into something resembling a shrinked black trunk in which she put the paperwork, and which she put in her pocket. After that, she went to look for a book on grooming for men, which she found and discretely used the Gemino Curse on. She looked at the piano and moved her fingers over the keys and fake-played the few notes she played for Luna. Her smile even reached Severus' eyes.

She left for her new quarters, and Minerva went to hire the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Hermione had enjoyed visiting her new quarters and filling her new library so much, she would be late for dinner if she did not hurry. Thank Merlin for long legs although she really did not have time to practice Severus' walk. As she entered, it became apparent she was one of the latest incomers. Minerva, Severus, Harry, Ron and Luna were already there. Lovely… Well, let's get this show on the road…

Severus was sitting between Harry and Ron who had thankfully remained silent. Unpunctual idiot, he thought as all eyes turned to his body, and the Great Hall went quiet…

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Can you believe that after so many chapters, it is still the same day? How absurd… ;)

Zarathustra46 took an impressive short time to look over that one. I think someone likes you…

Recently, I have been thinking about last words. For instance, when saying goodbye to my family to run an errand, I am focusing on what we say to each other. What if, for some reason that is the last thing we say to each other? What is meaningful enough? What deserves to be remembered? It's not morbid, in my opinion. It's just a way to be more in the moment and appreciate others more. Well, I am almost over it, as a distraction. But I can't be the only one doing it. It, it, it, it, it… Hello? Lo, lo, lo… Is this thing on?

Playlist updated. "See" you next chapter!