Chapter 11

At the Head Table, Minerva McGonagall was in her usual seat and all was essentially normal except for the fact that there was an extra long table in front of the faculty with 12 seats. Minerva deduced that the Headmaster would be having a few guests over that were possibly from the ministry. Oh, how wrong she was. With a bang of the double doors and a flourish of his robes, Albus Dumbledore entered the Great Hall followed by several men in suits. To the untrained eye, the suits just seemed like your typical everyday suits, but to Minerva, she could tell that some were of designer labels. She even sensed a bit of Paco Rabanne in the air.

After a few moments, she noticed Severus take a seat next to her and smiled inwardly. A real smile broke her strict façade when he leaned in and whispered,

"Apparently, today's lunch includes a show. What do you think Albus has planned for us all today?"

Minerva was about to give a soft laugh when something caught her eye. A man in a pristine suit and Italian leather shoes smiled at her, his eyes sparkling in the intense light of the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. A single man among a dozen others walking up to the Head Table affected her in no other way possible at that moment. An extraordinary man. A reminder of her past life. She did not even realize that she was talking slowly, saying,

"One can only guess what he is up to."

Whether she was pertaining to Albus Dumbledore or not was lost on Severus when the men finally reached the table.

"Who the hell are this lot?" Ron Weasley wondered aloud.

"No idea, but they look so dignified," Hermione replied.

"I think you mean extremely hot!" Lavender Brown interjected.

"That too…" Hermione sighed.

Ron and Harry looked at one another again and said in unison complete with eye rolling,

"Girls."

On the other end of the Gryffindor table, however, Fred and George were openly staring at the group as they walked passed them.

"George, do you know what this means?" Fred asked his twin.

"I'm afraid I might."

"We have even more competition for McGonagall," they said in unison

"We have to go all out, Fred! We need to step up our game and impressed her out of her shoes."

"And stockings."

"All robes."

"And bun."

"And eyeglasses."

"WAIT!" Fred said wildly as he whipped his head toward McGonagall. "She's not wearing any glasses today, nor is she wearing her customary bun."

"Now what on earth are you talking about, Fred? She always has glasses perched on her nose and her hair in a bun, well except for yesterday."

"Look!" Fred said hurriedly as he turned his brother's head to look at the Head Table.

And true it was. Professor McGonagall was not wearing her usual spectacles and her hair was in a loose twist with a few wavy strands framing her face. The usual wrinkles on her forehead weren't there and the crow's feet on the sides of her eyes were not present as well. Actually quite a few of her wrinkles were gone.

"Is it just me or does she look younger?"

"Yeah she does. Maybe she's been getting some rest since we haven't given Snape a reason to confront her about our behavior these past few days?" George said as he squinted his eyes to get some more focus on McGonagall's face.

"If this is the effect of us behaving, then I'm all for it. But once I can no longer resist the temptation that is Minerva McGonagall, then I will make my move and ask her out.

"Ask who out, Fred?" Ginny asked as she reached their side of the table.

"No one, little sister. Fred was just rehearsing a line from—a movie. He's thinking of pursuing acting. Right, Fred?" George answered with a suggestive nod at his brother to agree. Fred was quick to pick up where his brother had left off.

"Yes! This handsome face needs a bit of limelight attention, don't you think?"

"Ugh! Whatever!" Ginny huffed as she stomped away to go back to her seat.

"That was close," they said in relief.

The men took their seats on the second table, all except one who paused to look at Minerva before he took his seat, a gleam in his eye and a slight smirk. Severus was about to ask if she knew the man, but at that precise moment Albus started talking on the podium and Severus knew his question would be reserved until later after the announcements. His only comfort as of the moment was a possible explanation as to what was going on, for Minerva had frozen in her place.

"Good afternoon, all. I suspect that all of you have had a splendid morning," he paused and smiled to no one in particular as his eyes scanned the entire student body seated in front of him before he continued. "You may notice that we have a few guests on this wonderful day." He gestured to the men seated at the long table and said, "They are some of the prominent figures in the film industry of the muggle world and have come to acquire some insight as to how we magical folk act."

The Headmaster's statement was met with incredulous looks and jaws dropping in shock. This was the first time in history that muggles would be studying them in their natural magical habitat and it was unorthodox.

"So much for keeping our magic a secret," Harry quipped.

"You think he's finally gone off his rocker?" Ron questioned.

"He might possibly have," Hermione spoke softly.

"I trust you will all help them in their research as to how to act like one of us. You see, they are actors from London and they would very much appreciate it if you would allow them to assess your abilities and how you cast spells in preparation for their new film. They have signed confidentiality agreements so that we will be kept safe after they have gathered enough information to portray their part as wizards to the best authenticity that one can manage. Well, that is all that I have to announce thus far, Now, let us feast," Albus concluded and food appeared on the tables and everyone dug in.