Chapter 13

Minerva

AN: ok... so the last chapter wasn't as long as most but that's just how it happened sometimes, you know? No Draco in this chapter... but he's not really needed for it either.

Thanks to all who reviewed. viola1701e, HallowRain8587, LadiePhoenix007, giada,

Disclaimer: Nothing gets me any money... as much as I'd like for it to.

Hermione POV

I look up and smile as McGonagall slides into the seat across from me. I set my menu and let her settle.

"Hello Professor... or is it Headmistress now?" I ask with a grin. She snorts and smiles, nodding at Rosmerta as she brings over a pot of tea with two cups and all the add-ins, leaving another menu.

"Headmistress, though I'm still unsure if I should have taken the post or not. All the other candidates were horrible; perhaps next year if the pickings are any better. Severus flat out refuses to try again, not that I blame him. The red tape and ministry meddling is not only annoying, most of it is frivolous. I mean how many forms must I fill out about the same thing? Honestly I just want to take someone by the collar and shake them until they listen." She says with a huff, fixing up her cup, glancing at me.

"No milk for me please, and I understand about the Ministry, even working for them, hearing the explanations as to why there were so many forms I wanted to bash someone up the side of the head many days. I haven't ordered yet if you wanted to join me... or if you had already eaten I could wait Headmistress." I say. She chuckles and slides me my tea.

"Minerva, please... you have graduated, with flying colors, in the aftermath of a war. There is no need to call me Headmistress in an informal setting Hermione. And I think I would like some lunch, so much of the time all I have is a sandwich or something light at my desk. I really should go down to the Great Hall and eat more. There's just so much work to do." she says with a sigh, sipping her tea and opening her menu. I nod and sip my tea, looking over the menu.

"I understand that all too well, another reason I left the Ministry. It was killing me. I had NO free time, I took way to much work home with me, and I started dreading going to work, talking to my coworkers. I loved working there; working to help people, working to make the world better... but I hated going to work, the red tape, the back biting." I say with a shake of my head. I really had enjoyed my work, enjoyed my job, but it was just too much... it was childish, stupid.

"So what do you think you're getting?" Minerva asks from behind her menu. I shrug as I answer.

"I don't know soup and sandwich probably, they were always good when I was in schools. You have any suggestions?" I ask, refilling my cup.

"Anything is good, she hasn't changed the recipes as far as I know; stick with what sells and all that. How hungry are you is the question you need to answer really. Soup and sandwich is fine if you're not all that hungry but there are many things on the menu." She says, sipping her tea, relaxing with a sigh.

"I always get fish and chips... but Ginny says I need to try new things. I understand her point but... I guess that's why I quit my job at the Ministry... well one of the reasons anyway. I need to get out of my comfort zone, change some habits. My life was so busy during school, the war and all... I guess I just wanted something boring. Harry and Ron got addicted to it I think... the rush of being on the run... the danger of it all. I think that's why they became Aurors. Sometimes I worry about them." I say with a sigh. Minerva nods and pats my hand.

"I understand, I do... I worry about so many people any more. What are you hungry for? Sandwich, some sort of tart, soup?" she asks me, setting her menu as she takes a sip of her tea.

"A sandwich and soup I think... something filling but not heavy. Perhaps the Jack Does Funky Chicken sandwich, that sounds good. Chicken and noodle soup sounds good too. I don't know why I'm so nervous... this isn't as big as the Ministry... I wasn't nervous about that interview." I say with a sigh, sipping my tea. Minerva smiles and pats my hand.

"The Ministry was almost begging you to join up though... they WANTED you to work for them. And while I DO want you to work at the school I'm not in all that big of a need for anything. I do how ever think I have a place for you... if you wanted to get into all that now." She asks, taking a sip of her tea.

"Let's order and then we'll talk. I have a feeling if we don't we'll never eat." I tell her, picking my menu up again; scanning to make sure I knew what I wanted before looking at her. She smiles and waves over Rosmerta.

"All ready to order then ladies? Hows the tea?" she asks, getting out her order pad.

"The tea's fine Rose, I'll have the Auntie F's Mackinaw Monster and a side salad with... oh let's go with the Balsamic Vinaigrette. More tea as well." McGonagall says with a grin. Rosmerta nods and looks to me.

"I think I'd like to try the Jack Does the Funky Chicken, a bowl of chicken soup with noodles, and a side of macaroni salad. I'll probably want dessert but I'm not sure just yet. More tea for me as well." I tell her. She nods and reads it all back before turning and heading to the kitchen, swinging her hips as she moves. I chuckle and sip my tea.

"Ron fancied her something horrible during school." I say; McGonagall chuckles softly.

"I think all the boys do. I do believe that's why she wiggles as she does. Now... to business, was there a job you were hoping to get at the school or anything that strikes your fancy? I do have several professors looking for replacements, or at least assistant professors to take over in the next few years." She says. I nod slowly, thinking. What did I want to do? Did I want to teach?

"I don't think I'd want to be a professor, I do love the library but I doubt she'd ever leave. She loves those books so much." I say softly.

"Actually, Irma is looking for a replacement. She wants to move on... find a nice little cottage and settle down, relax and read for herself. She DOES love her work at the school but she doesn't care for children, especially ones who don't care how they treat their books. Now I'm not saying she's ready to jump ship and run away... if you need... wanted her to stay, I believe she would be willing to help you settle in... For a year... or at least till the Christmas Holidays. But I dare say you likely know the library as well as she does. You spent enough time there during you school years." She says with a grin. I chuckle.

"I think Librarian... Assistant or Head would be a good position for me. Not a ton of responsibility but enough I don't get bored out of my skull with lack of things to do. Plenty of reading material, could probably do research for other teachers, or for my own projects if I really needed something to do." I tell her, sipping my tea, refilling my cup, offering a refill to her as well. She nods and takes the refill, adding honey and a touch of milk, stirring it idly as she relaxes.

"So... now what we know what job you would like... is there anything else I need to be informed of? Specialty needs or medical issues I should be aware of?" She asks as Rosmerta brings out lunch and more tea. I eat some as I think of anything special I needed.

"I don't think so, I've had some trouble sleeping but hopefully that will even out once I'm on a more regular sleep schedule. If not Poppy should be able to give me some mild sleeping potion to help me relax. As to medical issues... a few left over from the war but nothing that I should need help with. I'm sure Poppy will want to check me over anyway. I can't think of anything special I need." I say with a smile.

"Any rules or anything I should know coming in as Staff? I know I need to be on my best behavior but... any secrets I get to know now or anything?" I ask as I eat, savoring the soup and sandwich.

"A few things I think you might find interesting... especially during quidditch matches, but that's not for everyone's ears you understand. Gossip of course, I know you aren't one to gossip my dear but it IS something to talk about. Relationships with students is frowned upon, but with you being as young as you are I don't think anyone would make too much of a fuss about it IF it happened. It would be best if you found someone your own age to date, if you were inclined to do so that is." She says as she eats. I nod and eat, having a nice lunch with her, chatting about nothing... and everything.

I head out after lunch, feeling much better about my decision to leave the Ministry and work at the school. Like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I smile to myself as I walk around Hogsmead, buying a few things before I head home to relax after a full day.

oOo

Severus POV

I sit in the Teachers lounge relaxing by the fireplace, stretching my legs out as I let my mind drift in the peaceful quiet. Oh who was I kidding I hated the silence when school wasn't in session, it felt... empty. I look over at the door as it opens; Minerva coming in looking much more relaxed then the last I had seen her.

"Good lunch with your star pupil?" I ask with a grin. She chuckles and nods, sitting across from me.

"It was lovely, I really should stop more often and just relax, have an actual meal. Was your lunch with your godson relaxing or is he causing you problems?" she asks me. I shrug and sit up, straightening my shirt.

"It was... lunch. He is trying to be a good person. He needs a job; do you think we could give him something? Nothing major of course but... his grades were near as good as Miss Grangers, he's not a trouble maker, he never really was. Don't give me that look Potter and Weasley got into more trouble than Draco did. This whole mess is just annoying, how much does the boy have to go through before the Ministry takes the blame for their screw ups?" I snap, rubbing my forehead, getting up and pouring myself a measure of whiskey, glancing at Minerva before pouring her a glass as well. She signs and pats my hand, sipping the burning liquid.

"I think we should be able to find him something. Miss. Granger will be the new Librarian; she knows the library as well as Madam Pince, if not better. Is there anything he's interested in? Did you mention anything to him that he seemed interested in?" she asks me.

"He seemed to think helping in the Infirmary might be good, it could lead into several things if he doesn't wish to be a Healer, making potions, selling things to the public, medical supplies and what not. The world is getting more and more muggle, most people are willing to pay for simple potions instead of having to make them at home, risk messing up the potion, wasting the money on the ingredients, wasting the time only to have it turn out wrong. Or he could take over for Poppy, give her the time off, an actual holiday. I think for now he needs to just be a helper, let him figure out what he wants to do with his life... finish his probation. I don't think he thought he'd survive the war Minerva, Merlin I didn't think I'd survive the war... still don't know how I did." I shake my head and sip my whiskey.

"I really think he's trying to do right Minnie. But I don't think he has any idea how to do right. Lucius wasn't exactly a great role model, Cissa tried but... boys follow in their father's footsteps far too easily. Draco... wanted the attention his father gave him, Merlin knows it wasn't much. But when bad attention is all you can get... you take what you can get. I blame myself... for not seeing it... for not stopping it..." I say with a sigh, shaking my head.

"Now Severus... you know that's not your fault. If you had stepped in any more they might have killed you... and then where would Draco be? Where would we be without you?" she says, patting my hand. I nod and sit back, sipping my whiskey as we sit in the quiet.

AN: ok so I hope everyone liked that, the food was from katzingers . com

AN2: so... it wasn't very long... and no Draco... but it's a needed chapter. To get Hermione her job and explain, show Sev as the caring man we all know he really is.