The Meeting
by Ydream08
Chapter 2
"Good day, Yaxley," greeted Minerva McGonagall as stern as always. Corban could make out that the woman was slightly surprised, if not alarmed, by his attendance. This meeting, of course, was not meant to include him directly, but it was the hot topic of the Ministry. What could not be, if it involved any of the Golden Trio.
So, Corban had been...curious.
"Headmistress McGonagall." He nodded. "I hope my attendance will not be unwelcome. I understand you were not expecting me, as I am the Head of the Department of Magical Education in the Ministry, but please be at ease. My presence does not mean anything formal; a friend of mine from the Board of Governors simply invited me to… well, be informed."
Corban charmingly smiled, but it did nothing to disarm the older witch. The woman scowled deeper.
"Sad that it wasn't brought up with me…" the witch seethed. Yaxley did not drop his smile even when the woman checked him from head to toe. Was she expecting an overtly sign that he was hostile? Of course he was not!
Hostile he could be if he was disrespected or demeaned from his new very-much-earned status.
However, he was not delusional to say the Education Department was the top most priority of the Ministry. The new minister Shacklebolt had far more pressing issues so he overlooked their dealings. Hence why it had been easier for Corban to apply for a position and then be promoted to be the Head of this Department as a reformed ex-Death Eater. He wasn't getting ahead of himself, regardless.
New times required a new outlook.
He could play nice as much as any other.
"Is there a problem, Headmistress?" Yaxley drawled.
Headmistress maintained her stern expression. "Not at all. You will see it won't matter either way. Professor Granger has done the research to a T. Her presentation here wouldn't be different if it were brought to you, or even to Shacklebolt! I expect you will enjoy it. Please, join us, Mr. Yaxley."
Well, that sounded rather amused by the end. Yaxley managed a tight smile. He would have rathered Headmistress to be on edge, not bloody amused.
No matter. The meeting. It was important. Corban was the authority here, and his view would finalize the decision. Not like the Board could take a decision that contradicted him.
Entering the meeting room, he was met with tables arranged in a U-position. More than half of the Board was present.
"Mr. Bones," Corban greeted the Head of the Board.
Harrison Bones had been elected for the position five years ago at the end of the War. He had fought for the Light side, if Corban remembered correctly. No surprise there as his daughter had been listed in the Dumbledore's Army. Corban had memorized that list by heart. All those years back, that annoying Umbridge woman had been updating him of those children as if Corban had nothing else to do. His brief stunt as the Head of Law Enforcement back then had been a time of nightmare.
"Mr. Yaxley." Bones nodded. "I was surprised when Mr. Malfoy asked permission to invite you for our short meeting of today. It pleases me to hear that you are interested in the recent developments in education."
"Always am. One couldn't come to positions that I hold now without persistent interest in the subject." Corban had to reciprocate Bone's sentiment. The irritating bastard. "I must say it is also much appreciated to see you continue your volunteered standing in the Board. Your daughter has graduated some years ago now."
Corban didn't like the man one bit. Tolerated him, sure, as hard as it actually was. Harrison Bones kept looking at him as if he was dirt under his shoes. Although the man actually smiled, Corban knew better. Bones did not think well of him.
The feeling was mutual.
It was a known fact that Harrison Bones had laid with a Muggleborn, impregnated the woman, but had left her and the unborn child. For more than a decade Bones had been abroad, Merlin knows where. People said the Muggleborn woman had not told Bones of her pregnancy, but either way, for Yaxley the event was nothing but shameful from the person he had gotten involved with, to the consequences of his reckless actions... What good would it be for the wizard to show up when his child was already fifteen or sixteen, anyway?
It wasn't hard making a respectable marriage and taking responsibility of any child you sire afterwards. Of course, Bones lacked any kind of sensibility of duty and reason.
The man was a poor excuse of a father. Being involved in this Board to alleviate his guilt.
So, yes, Corban Yaxley did not even respect the man.
"We shouldn't remain standing. Please, sit down next to me. The meeting should start shortly." Bones gestured for the seat, unperturbed by Yaxley's earlier comment, ignoring it all together.
Corban smiled and took his place. He would have rathered sitting with the cranky Headmistress where she sat apart from the Board.
Gritting his teeth, Yaxley looked around for the attendance. Malfoy came in just as he was finished counting (only two were absent, both rather old witches).
His old friend looked paler than his everyday complexion. Corban noted the slight crease of his brows. Lucius Malfoy was cross. First thing in the morning, no less. What could have possibly happened…?
Just then, a young witch came in after Lucius.
Corban had to halt, and make sure he was seeing alright. If he had not known the woman to be Hermione Granger, member of the Golden Trio, he would have said he hadn't seen the witch in his life.
Perhaps he had not.
She wore robes of a rich fabric, the colour of the darkest blue. Briskly unloading her belongings, the witch continued to shed her outer robes to reveal a classy dress of a similar hue. It was a sheath dress that reached to her knees that she looked delectible in. There was a thin strap of silver belt that highlighted her slim waist. As the witch got to prepare for her presentation, the sound of her heels alerted Yaxley more than necessary. Her curly hair, too, rather complimented her overall outfit, falling bouncily by her shoulders.
Suddenly, Corban felt his mouth dry.
Clearing his throat, he looked away. This was absurd! He shouldn't be looking at the witch in such an untoward way. He was outright appreciating her look.
Can't helping it, he glanced at her once more. Her back was turned, and Rowena, what a wonderful back she had!
Corban looked away immediately. Again. Not like he had never seen any other woman in an exquisite outfit. He was old to be looking at such young woman, anyway. Wasn't he?
Oh, how much he wished to be a young wizard of twenty-five again!
Contradictory to all his thoughts, Corban Yaxley had been a reclusive teen. As the years had passed, his interaction with women had not improved. Being turned down by a witch he had thought was the love of his life, had damaged him for better use as well. And, addition to all that, the few witches he imagined sharing a life with cordially, turned out to be the opposite of how he had got to know them.
The time Corban Yaxley had caught his fiance fucking his best mate, he had quit the mere idea of marriage. Arranged marriage or not, the scandal had been unacceptable.
After that, came the Wars, of course. A great outlet to get revenge on all those who had done him wrong and climb to a standing where he was viewed important.
Now, Corban could admit he has made all the wrong decisions.
Hence why he was miserably alone.
"I'd like to start by saying welcome to all of you." The resonating voice was feminine. Confident. All noise hushed. Ms Granger was talking: "Headmistress McGonagall has notified me of your concerns, and today we gathered here to discuss the plans I have for the Charms lesson in Hogwarts. I know some of you are parents as well, so please do not hesitate to ask questions."
Corban shifted. He was aware Bones took notice, but he would ignore him. Finding a more comfortable postion, Corban decided he would focus on what the witch had to say.
This was a serious meeting. No place to daydream like a teenage boy.