"Normal speech"

Thoughts

"Mental speech"

"Non-English speech"

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Brothers own Harry Potter.

Chapter 55

Minerva sat at the head of the table in the staff room, waiting for the last few staff members to arrive. Filius Flitwick and Septima Vector were debating an article from the most recent issue of the Arithmancy Almanac, while Charity Burbage chatted amiably with Pomona Sprout about their respective summer holidays.

The door opened, and Severus Snape stalked into the room, scowling. A quick glance told Minerva why. Sybill Trelawney was at his heels. "A dark aura!" she cried. "It surrounds you, Severus, inching ever nearer to your heart. And once it does – no! I cannot speak of it."

"Good," Snape snapped. "Because I have no desire to hear of it." He nodded curtly at Minerva before claiming an empty chair between Irma Pince and Argus Filch. Trelawney huffed and took a seat next to Aurora Sinistra, who did not look overly pleased by the arrangement. Minerva fought to contain a smile.

A few minutes later, Poppy Pomfrey and Horace Slughorn entered. With the exception of Minerva and Snape, everyone seemed surprised to see Slughorn. There were a few murmurings and sidelong glances towards Snape, who simply raised a mocking eyebrow in response.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming," Minerva began once Pomfrey and Slughorn had settled. The discussions stilled. "Before we begin with the pre-term discussions, I would like to address any concerns any of you might have with my interim appointment. I am hoping to keep the transition as smooth as possible until the Board of Governors appoints a permanent successor to Albus, and will retain many of the existing policies that were in place. If you have any suggestions, however, do let me know."

"They couldn't choose a more worthy successor," Sprout said. "While I can't speak for everyone here, I certainly hope they pick you." There were several nods and murmurs of agreement.

"Thank you, Pomona. Moving on, I would like to welcome Professor Horace Slughorn back to Hogwarts. He has very kindly agreed to teach Potions again."

There was a smattering of applause. Flitwick beamed and said, "Welcome back, Horace!" Slughorn smiled and waved genially.

Sprout turned to Snape. "Congratulations, Severus," she said, smiling. "Defense professor at last?"

Snape snorted. "Hardly," he drawled. "Popular opinion to the contrary, I do retain some level of self-preservation."

"Severus will continue as the school potions master," Minerva explained. "He will be responsible for brewing for the hospital wing." Several of the professors frowned in evident confusion. Minerva smiled tightly. "I have done some research on the matter, and it seems that the potions professor and the potions master are traditionally entirely separate responsibilities, going back to the time of Hogwarts' founding."

"I can't believe Albus had you juggle both jobs for all those years, my boy," Slughorn added, chuckling. "And yet you managed to disprove Agostini to boot! Absolutely astounding."

"It would be like having me teach Charms," Pomfrey whispered to Rolanda Hooch, who was still frowning. Her eyes widened in sudden understanding.

"Moving on," Minerva continued, "Professor Hagrid is currently on sabbatical. He should be returning in a few months. I would like to nominate Wilhemina Grubbley-Plank as a temporary substitute. Any objections?"

"Can we keep her on permanently?" Snape muttered under his breath.

There were outcries of consternation. Minerva cleared her throat, silencing them. "There is no need for that, as Hagrid will be returning shortly."

"All students across all years wasting an entire term studying flobberworms, fourth-years spending months covering 'blast-ended skrewts,' seventh-years studying carnivorous huflerpods . . . . I do believe our most recent OWL and NEWT pass rates for Care of Magical Creatures were the lowest they had been in two centuries," Severus drawled.

Flitwick nodded. "None of my sixth-year Ravenclaws elected to take the NEWT course."

"Only one of my badgers is continuing," Sprout admitted. "And only because she needs the NEWT for a krup-breeding license after she graduates."

Minerva frowned, considering. Only two sixth-year Gryffindors are taking the class this term, and only three third-years. This is usually one of the most popular electives. And Hagrid is still in his probationary period as a faculty member. As much as I may like him personally, keeping him on might not be best for the school. Merlin knows we don't need another Binns.

Albus will have my head for this.

"Thank you," she said. "I shall take the matter under advisement. Once Professor Hagrid returns, I shall commence a probationary review. Agreed?" There were scattered nods from around the table. "For the next order of business, does anyone have suggestions for this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" No one spoke. Minerva sighed, not surprised. "I was afraid as much. In that case, I shall have no choice but to accept the Ministry's offer to appoint someone on our behalf." And please let it be an auror, or at least a member of Magical Law Enforcement. Merlin only knows what a mess this will be if Fudge picks one of his toadies.

The rest of the meeting proceeded as expected, with Minerva covering the standard pre-term items that Dumbledore normally went over. It felt odd handling it herself, but fortunately her colleagues mostly seemed willing to defer to her authority.

"Thank you, everyone," Minerva said, concluding the meeting. "Severus, if you wouldn't mind staying behind a moment? I have a few items I'd like to discuss with you."

Snape inclined his head. The others filed out, some chatting good-naturedly with one another. Once they had all left, Minerva cast a few privacy spells to avoid eavesdroppers.

"Before we get started, I would just like to apologize for how the Order treated you this summer. There was absolutely no excuse for it," Minerva said formally.

Severus closed his eyes. Minerva noticed how very weary he seemed. "Thank you, Minerva. I am aware that you had no part in what transpired. You will understand, however, if I have no wish to return to the Order's clutches? I will report to you or to the Damned."

Minerva nodded. She decided to leave it there, as he clearly did not want to discuss the specifics of what happened further. And who can blame him? He deserves at least some semblance of privacy. "On that note, is there anything we will need to arrange for your reports?"

Snape reached into a pocket and removed a small lioness pendant attached to a fine silver chain. He handed it to her. "Wear this. I have a counterpart. When I am summoned, I will activate my copy, and yours will heat momentarily. I will meet with you to discuss supply orders for the infirmary stores when I return."

"Very well." She paused a moment, then continued, "I'm not certain if Mordred passed this along to you, but if you are interested in the deputy position . . ."

Snape sighed. "No, Minerva, I am not even remotely interested."

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? I had thought your Slytherin ambition would require it," she teased.

He snorted, amused. "My Slytherin ambition will have me out of this pestilential school the moment my life becomes my own."

Minerva's heart sank. She knew that he loathed teaching, but not that he felt trapped in the school. "I'm sorry, Severus," she said.

He waved a hand dismissively. "It does not matter."

Yes, it does, Minerva thought sadly. Again, she was struck by how very tired Snape seemed. "Have you seen Poppy yet for your annual check-up?" she asked, changing the subject.

"No."

"Go. You look ghastly."

Snape snorted again. "I always look ghastly. I am the bat of the dungeons," he said, smirking slightly.

Minerva pointed at the door. "Go," she ordered. He bowed mockingly before leaving.

A/N: Please review!