A/N: Dance, Dance! Reviews please! To all of my fabulous YouTuber's … my fans I love you! I don't own anything you recognize … sadly that is all Jo Rowling's. Drink up me hearties … yo ho!
Chp 10
Hermione began her long walk up to the main doors of Hogwarts. She had just finished up with her wonderful Christmas- the best one in recent memory. She had a lovely time with her family and had then spent some quality time with everyone at the Burrow. She even had a nice long chat with Ron and it seemed things were starting to improve between the twon of them. She was very excited- the icing on the cake would be this New Years Eve party. She had chosen a beautiful dress and couldn't wait to knock 'em dead as her father had suggested.
As soon as she entered the front doors she saw Mr. Filch and, feeling particularly cheerful, she greeted him.
"Hello Mr. Filch! Did you have a nice holiday?" Hermione enquired causing the old caretaker to eye her suspiciously.
"Yes I did, thank you for asking, though I don't know why you care," he said rather briskly.
"Oh… well good." Hermione didn't quite know how to respond to that. She quickly added, "Are you going to be attending the New Years Eve Ball?"
"Have to; someone has to keep people in line. Everyone is so excited, makes me sick. Course they aren't the ones that have to bloody well clean up the mess after are they?" Filch replied as Mrs. Norris purred and rubbed up against his ankles affectionately while he spoke.
"No sir, they aren't. Well, have a nice day." At that Hermione turned and left, her mood officially soured. What a funk that man was in! She rounded the corner and heard:
"Miss Granger, to whom do we owe the pleasure of you gracing us with your presence early from the break?" Professor Snape sneered at her in the dimly lit corridor.
"Pardon me sir, but I was under the impression I was Granger now," she answered feeling particularly cheeky today. Before he could respond she added, "I am here a day early to assist Minerva with plans for the party. I also wanted to be here so I would have adequate time to prepare."
"Yes I imagine it takes a fortnight to tame that mane you call hair."
Was that a smirk she saw? Hermione chuckled, gesturing wildly with her hands, "Yes sir, it is a bit unruly. Will I see you at the extravaganza?" She found it rather humorous that that had been Minerva's chosen words for the invitations.
"Please do not refer to this monstrosity as an extravaganza, no matter what Professor McGonagall named it. It's a mockery and a huge headache. I will, most unfortunately, be in attendance - Minerva cornered me and insisted I come. She must have consulted with Albus on how best to force me to attend such droll events." Severus had a slightly sour look on his face.
"Well she is a smart woman!" Hermione giggled very lightly; she didn't want Professor Snape to think she was laughing at him. "Well I shall see you there, sir." She inclined her head towards him and turned to leave.
"Oh Miss Granger, before you go," he called out to her. Hermione stopped and wheeled around to look at his ebony eyes.
"Yes, Professor?" she asked unsure what he would say
"Twenty-five points from Gryffindor for the blatant lie you sent to me in the form of a letter via your owl. You really shouldn't lie, it's not a trait people appreciate." And with a swirl of his robes he descended to the dungeon.
"But Sir! I didn't…." Hermione started to call but then decided it was better to just let it go. How had he known? She thought she had been very secretive. She actually wanted to laugh at the fact that he'd taken points from Gryffindor already – the first time he saw her back at school and he leapt at the chance. She hadn't even technically committed the crime at school, but since the letter was sent there she supposed he would get away with it. Hermione sighed, the sound echoing off the walls of the deserted hallway, "Some things will never change."
Hermione tenderly stepped through the doorway into the study, a room she had very rarely seen. Harry had frequented this space often during his time at Hogwarts, especially toward the end before Dumbledore died, but she had never been in trouble (well trouble that needed to be addressed) and she had rarely needed to meet with Dumbledore. "You wanted to see me Headmistress?"
"Please, Hermione, call me Minerva. I know we're back in school but I have an important matter I want to discuss. Please take a seat, make yourself comfortable." The older woman reached for a tray with biscuits and tea and offered them to the younger woman, who politely declined.
Hermione suddenly had a concerned look on her face, "Is it anything serious?"
"Oh no dear, in fact, it's very exciting!' Minerva got up from her seat and began to pace. "Hermione dear, have you considered when you will be taking your N.E.W.T.s?" she stopped her pacing and turned toward Hermione.
"Actually, yes. I had considered talking to you after the holiday, but now is as good a time as any. I had hoped to finish my studies by the end of February. I feel I will be adequately prepared by then and I would like to start applying for jobs before the other graduates."
Minerva seemed pleased. "I am glad to hear that. The reason I wanted to speak with you pertains to your future employment. I wanted to invite you to become an apprentice at Hogwarts." Minerva was smiling a very thin smile, but the curve was so severe you could tell she was bursting at the seams.
"Oh! I never … really?" Hermione exclaimed. Minerva shook her head in reply. "Why that's wonderful! I never expected this. Hogwarts hasn't taken on an apprentice since 1953." Hermione said feeling more than a little smug, Hogwarts A History was still coming in handy!
"Yes, you are correct. However, we feel as though a mind like yours should not be wasted. Someone as intelligent as you Hermione has the ability to mold and shape a young witch or wizard. Quite frankly, while we have many years left to live, most of the staff is getting along in age and we would like to bring in sharp young minds to start the replacement process now. We want the best of the best in to keep Hogwarts a top notch school."
"Like Neville," Hermione said quietly.
"Precisely. Mr. Longbottom showed questionable actions occasionally while at school (Hermione had the sneaking suspicion that the words writing the password to Gryffindor tower down while Sirius Black was on the loose may have been flashing through her mind), but he no doubt has a gift for Herbology. We hadn't seen an enthusiasm and natural ability like that since we hired Pomona all those years ago.
"Well I'm very flattered. In fact I don't know what to say!" Hermione finally managed to splutter after a few moments - this wasn't what she had expected at all! Honestly, she figured Minerva had wanted to discuss something with her about the upcoming party. "What subject would I be apprenticing for?" she asked.
"Well, we feel as though you have several options. I have discussed this with the other members of staff and we would like to give you a choice, as you are exceptional in most areas. Firstly, Transfiguration."
"But, Minerva I can't replace you! You are a fantastic teacher, it would be… well, wrong!"
"My dear I am flattered at the compliment, but carrying the load of my classes and being Headmistress has already begun to take its toll. I cannot imagine doing this for years," she said very matter of factly.
"Very well, but would you mind telling me the other options?" Hermione asked timidly.
"Yes, yes of course! I have conversed with Filius and he has agreed to take you on as an apprentice if you so choose. You always had a knack for Charms I seem to remember. Filius was very excited. He never forgot how quickly you learned Wingardium Leviosa you know," Minerva stated, noticing the way Hermione blushed profusely at the compliment.
"I also spoke with Septima Vector. She is a younger staff member, but after the war I believe she is eager to get away from the castle. Once she had heard you may become an apprentice, she offered her job up. Apparently, you and her had discussed Arithmancy on several occasions."
"Yes, we did. It was probably my favorite subject in school, if I had to choose."
"Finally, I spoke with Severus." At this Hermione's eyebrow went up and her mouth opened in shock causing Minerva to chuckle quietly. "Yes, he seems an unlikely candidate, but after some discussion I approached him with the option of moving to the Defense Against The Dark Arts position."
Curiosity got the better of her and she founds herself asking the question she wasn't sure was appropriate, "Oh Minerva! What did he say?"
"Well I told Severus that I thought he deserved the position and felt strongly that he'd earned it. The position isn't cursed anymore, so there will be no need to find a replacement every year. He has more than proved his loyalty to the Light and I do not have the doubts Dumbledore once did about him using the position in a reckless way. At first he stated that he's a Potions Master and that is what he prefers, but after a while he softened and accepted the proposal. I must warn you though, he also said the most peculiar thing when I mentioned who the potential apprentice would be." Hermione tilted her head. "He said 'Does is have to be Granger?' It was a bit puzzling." At that Hermione laughed out loud.
"I may be of some clarity. He is a bit … uneasy with me right now. He discovered who sent the book," she smiled.
"Oh he did!" Minerva laughed, "That wicked man can't just accept a gift. I thought that was so lovely of you dear. I must tell you, he did enjoy it."
"But he tried to return it!" Hermione said throwing her hands in the air in an exasperated gesture.
"Yes, but you don't have it in your possession yet do you? Don't let Severus fool you, he was very thankful. You will never hear it though."
"He took twenty-five points for the little white lie I told him when he asked if I'd sent him the present. Some thanks that is!"
"Oh that insufferable man!" Minerva said, clearly miffed. She wasn't Head of Gryffindor House anymore, but House loyalties were hard to overcome.
"Oh I wanted to ask you dear, what are you wearing to the New Years Eve party?"
"Let me show you!"
Hermione held out her wand, "Accio party dress." A few minutes later the dress floated into the room.
"Oh it's beautiful! Hermione I must say you have outdone yourself. You will look lovely, better than the Yule Ball!" Hermione blushed at that, she wasn't used to this praise.
"Thank you. Speaking of the party I had better run along and get ready!" She grabbed the dress and turned to leave.
"Oh Hermione, will you consider the position?" Minerva asked as she followed Hermione to the door.
"Oh yes, of course. I will consider it and let you know after the ball."
"Lovely dear I will anticipate your response!"
Several hours later Hermione was fully dressed for the ball. She made her way down the stairs much like she had in her fourth year. This time however there was no handsome Bulgarian waiting for her at the bottom. Hermione couldn't remember the last time she was had felt this nervous with excitement. Sure she had been nervous in recent years, but it was out of terror not excitement or joy. She didn't see anyone around immediately so she began her walk to the large double doors….
A/N: So I fudged! I decided that the ball would get its own entire chapter – the next one. Don't hate me! I know the bit with Minerva was long, but I felt it necessary. She has a tough decision to make. This next chapter is going to be FABULOUS with the ball, Hermione's choice of attire and you will find out her decision during the ball. Reviews please! How is the pace of the story? Too slow? Do you like the dialogue? Does everyone feel in character? I changed the rating way down for now and when it becomes saucy I will ramp it up. Review and you will be rewarded!