Authors Note: Just a short chapter. Once more, thanks go to Shurfine for her assistance in beta-reading. I forgot to put this in my authors note for 'Matchmaking' so I'll slip it in here the now. It's another thanks to Shurfine for giving me idea's for the latest chapter of that story. Anyway, back to this one. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. Ciao- Bee x
Things at Hogwarts were running smooth enough for Minerva McGonagall. She had been lucky enough to get hold of a half decent Transfiguration Professor who took most of the classes. Minerva dropped in and taught from time to time, as was her want. Filius Flitwick had charms under control as always, and Pomona Sprout was positively beaming with all the potential she could see in her Herbology students. Sybil Trelawny annoyed the living daylights out of nearly everybody, so there was nothing new there. The Defence Against the Dark Art's position had also been filled, and the students were learning from well from their teacher. The only problem for Minerva was Potions. The one man whom Minerva personally thought was the greatest Potions Master who had ever lived was dead, and his imprint hung on her office wall. Horace Slughorn had refused to return to the position, and Minerva had shed no tears over that. The position needed to be filled by someone who knew the subject well, who interacted well enough with the student's and had a more than tolerable personality. Minerva had someone in mind of course, but this particular person was busy completing an apprenticeship, thankfully in Potions. She sighed heavily and placed her head in her hands.
"Is there something bothering you Minerva?" The portrait of Albus Dumbledore asked, hanging behind Minerva. She turned and looked to what had been the greatest wizard alive, and a good friend of hers.
"Yes, there is Albus. This Potion Professor just doesn't have it!" She exclaimed angrily, less than pleased at the poor substitute she had. For now though, she would have to do. As soon as her ideal candidate was finished their apprenticeship, Minerva would be offering them the job, and praying they accepted it.
"I don't think anyone could compare to Severus," Albus said quietly, looking across the room to another portrait. Minerva followed his gaze, her eyes landing upon the portrait of Severus Tobias Snape, who was currently looking a cross between smug and furious at his subject being mishandled by some fool.
"Someone else could, but they are beyond my reach," Minerva said sadly, leaning back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Severus who had his arms folded across his chest. Then Albus chuckled and Minerva immediately spun round to fix her beady eyed stare on him.
"Why do you not ask Kingsley? I'm sure he would make an exception in this case. Miss Granger is a rather extraordinary woman," Albus remarked, smiling fondly, his blue-eyed gaze on Severus. Minerva looked back again to Severus' portrait, nodding her head slowly. That was one avenue of possibility she had not tried. She hadn't even thought of it. Now that she did though, she realized it was perfectly plausible, and that it might very well happen.
"What do you think Severus? Would Hermione do Potion's class justice?" Albus asked, receiving a glare in return from the dark haired man in his portrait by the door. Severus would never let anyone know it but when Hermione had been mentioned he had felt a small thrill coarse through him, that only increasing when Albus and Minerva discussed her taking over the position as the Potion's Professor. She would indeed do his subject justice. He had never praised her in class, he had not dared to, but he had always thought she had astounding skill in his subject, and a formidable intellect to go with it. The only problem is that she had been rather obnoxious about it in her younger years. That may very well have came from some idea she had in her mind that she had to be the best out there to be considered part of the magical world. She had been instrumental in saving it from a psychotic maniac who should never have been allowed to live in the first place, in Severus's opinion. She had more than earned her place in the wizarding world.
"She would suffice," Severus said, not wanting to appear too happy at the idea of Hermione teaching his beloved subject of Potions. Albus nodded, his smile growing slightly brighter. Severus narrowed his eyes at that, wondering exactly what the man was going to say.
"Severus seems rather thrilled at the idea Minerva. If I were you I would get in contact with Kingsley immediately," Albus eyes were infused with his twinkle and Severus narrowed his eyes in severe distaste. He was not happy to say the least and Minerva had to stifle a laugh at the murderous glare that Severus threw at Albus. Albus' reply was to reach for a bowl of sherbet lemons that had been painted into his portrait and to pop one into his mouth.
"Damn you old man!" Severus exclaimed angrily. The old man in question merely smiled and started sucking on the sherbet lemon in his mouth. Minerva cleared her throat and shuffled a few papers on her desk, hoping that this would grab both men's attention. It did, and they both looked to her, ready and eager (in Albus' case at least) to assist the current Headmistress of Hogwarts, as was their job now. It was rather cruel to say, but this was really their only reason to exist now.
Minerva frowned as an unopened letter, with Hermione Granger's scrawl on it, caught her attention. She immediately pounced upon the letter and wrenched it open, mentally scolding herself for having missed it in the first place. She felt both men in their respective portraits, staring at her as she opened the letter.
"Read it out loud Minerva," Albus said gently, not wanting to seem as though he were ordering the fiery Scottish woman around. Minerva complied and started speaking.
"I have fantastic news Minerva. Harry came to Spinner's End recently, when I had been expecting Ginny, and told me something so wonderful. The Ministry has commissioned and artist to paint a portrait of Harry, Ron and myself. Can you believe it Minerva? This was everything I had been hoping and wishing for. Oh how I cried. Harry thought they were tears of sadness but no, for once my tears were shed in joy, for all my heart desire's now will be mine. If you have any spare moments please do come visit. It is so lonely in this house sometimes. I am forever grateful for Ginny being here. I will be partaking of something as simple as cleaning and I will find something of Professor Snape's. My heart aches at the thought of him Minerva. So many hopes, dreams and desires. So much love in his heart, that he never had the chance to show. Well, now I know, and I can say without any shadow of a doubt, that I feel nothing but love for this man. How silly of me I'm sure. I know I could better place my affections, but I would not want them anywhere else. Severus Tobias Snape was a remarkable, brilliant man and I only wish I could have known him well in life. Yours, Hermione Jean Granger," there was silence and then Minerva folded the letter up and slipped it back into it's envelope. Other than that movement though, she remained still and silent.
"My dear boy, whatever did you write in those letters?" Albus asked. Minerva nodded her head in agreement, waiting for Severus to respond. He had his head in his hands and remained like that for a few moments before lifting it up and glaring out at Minerva and Albus.
"Everything!" He growled out sharply. He sighed and ran his fingers through his black hair.
"Every feeling, every thought. Just everything I ever wanted," he sighed mournfully and turned his back on Minerva and Albus. Minerva looked to Albus who shook his head before mouthing 'leave him be'. Minerva nodded and looked to her desk. She reached for a spare sheet of parchment and, when she found one, reached for her quill. She started composing her letter to their current Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt.