THE COVER UP
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of the Harry Potter universe and I am grateful to be able to borrow them for a short time.
Reviews are a writer's coffee: they keep us going as long as we get some. *hint*
Liam wanted to make something perfectly clear to the young man, "You do understand that once the design outline has been done, when I go to color it, I can't and won't guarantee to miss all the lines of the Dark Mark. It's going to hurt and hurt a lot. You have to remain perfectly still the entire time." Liam informed him.
"I can take it." Draco's bravado was well-practiced having had to deal with the Dark Lord for so many years even if he was really nervous on the inside.
"What about a body bind curse, so you don't move or a stunning spell so you are completely out of it for several hours while he works?" Mina suggested.
Both men looked at her, "That's why she's called the brightest witch of her age and why she was able to help defeat the Dark Lord." Draco said with admiration.
Mina blushed, "How long do you need him out for?"
"I think we should do this in two stages, the outline then the coloring on a different day. That way he won't have to be in the chair for 8+ hours." Liam let them know.
"EIGHT HOURS!" They chorused.
"No, 8 plus hours. I told you how this was going to work. I have to go around the lines of the original Mark or stop just before crossing them. That takes time. I think about half and half for the time due to the high probability of extreme pain. You got a stunner that can last a couple of hours Mina?" Not thinking she would have one thereby eliminating the idea without him having to explain why it was a bad idea. He didn't want to scare the young man if he didn't have to.
"Only a couple of hours? I thought it would take 4 plus hours?" Draco asked stressing the 'plus' the way Liam had.
"For the first couple of hours as long as you don't move, you're fine. The day we start with the color, we'll need something to keep you from moving. That's when the pain is going to be at the highest level."
"With a couple of modifications, I can make the stunning spell last as long or as short as you need. But I think we need to add a body bind and a numbing spell as well. We don't need him waking up in the middle due to the pain in his arm but in case he does he still won't be able to move and it won't hurt so much."
"Again showing off her brains. I always did like you, Mina." Guess he was going to have to explain it anyway. "But that's not such a great idea. The whole point of pain is to let you know when your limits are reached. I want him awake, that way if the pain gets to be too much we can stop. We can put on a numbing spell to keep some of the pain down, but he needs be awake and aware so we can monitor his pain level." Liam was watching Draco's face for a reaction. Draco's eyes widened; if it was possible, he paled a little as well.
"Ok, how about a…hm…I think I can…with some practice I could probably come up with a way to bind just his arm & chest. Add the numbing spell to it with time limit options… So two spells? How would the Mark react? Magic on the Mark makes it…" She was lost in her own world of problem-solving before suddenly, "Ok. I think I've got most of it worked out, but I need to test it. Let me work on it and see what I can do." Mina said.
"Ok, when do you think you can do all that?" Liam asked. He and Draco had been looking between each other and watching Mina get lost in her thoughts.
"The next Hogsmeade weekend, so a month? Can we stay with you for the weekend; come on Friday and leave on Sunday? That way if we have to go longer, we can." Mina suggested. "We just need McGonagall's permission to leave school for the weekend."
"Do you think she'll say no?" Draco asked Mina suddenly nervous.
"I don't think so. She wants you to be able to move on. I think she'll let us do it."
"Good, check with your McGonagall and if she says yes, pop over about 7pm my time in 4 weeks. If all goes well the outline can be done by midnight. If you don't show up by 8pm, I'm going to assume she said no and give your appointment to someone else."
They nodded their agreement and apparated back to Hogsmeade before hustling back to the castle to find the school's headmistress.
They entered the Great Hall and looked towards the teachers' table as it was time for dinner but didn't find McGonagall. They were waved over to the teachers' table by Professor Slughorn and were handed a note from Professor McGonagall asking to see them as soon as dinner was over. Professor Slughorn didn't stop eating during the exchange.
"I wonder what's going on. We were ok to leave for Australia right?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. I'm sure it's nothing." They sat at the Gryffindor table and enjoyed their dinner talking about tattoos the entire time. Draco continued trying to get Hermione to agree to get one as well.
The good-natured argument continued as they arrived at the Headmistress' office. "Come in," was heard after they knocked on her door.
"Oh good." McGonagall was all seriousness and business-like as she handed each of them a large envelope full of paper. "Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, please sit, we have much to discuss. You can look at these after we are finished.
"How is your quest for removing your Mark?"
"It can't be removed," Draco said as he watched the stern woman in front of him sag slightly out of sadness, "he said the only way to remove it was to remove most of my arm. But Mina here, came up with something else." He pointed to Hermione so the professor would know who he was talking about. "She suggested what is called a cover up." He proceeded to explain what it was and what they needed from the school's headmistress to make it work.
"Yes! Of course, you may. Mr. Malfoy I'm very pleased for you. I sincerely hope this works for you." Draco smiled his thanks before McGonagall continued.
"On to why I asked you both here. You recall, of course, that we gave all repeat 7th year students practice N.E. so that we could concentrate on the classes each student needed. Miss Granger, your practice tests came back with some of the highest N.E.W.T scores witnessed in almost 250 years. Mr. Malfoy, your scores are only slightly under Miss Granger's. We've been having a hard time figuring out what to do with the both of you and the decision has been reached that you two do not belong here as students. Now, I have talked with your Professors, the Board of Governors and with the Ministry; we have decided to graduate the both of you early."
They were shocked to say the least and were about to interrupt but she forestalled any comments, "I ask you to hold your questions. Please wait until I'm done." They silently nodded their agreement so she continued, "Excellent. Now, Miss Granger I understand you have been working with Professor Flitwick on a new spell. If I understand the basics, you think you might have thought of a way to block the Imperious Curse, correct?" Hermione nodded her head. "It is very important to the school and the Ministry that you continue that work no matter what else is happening. On a personal note, Miss Granger, you have my whole-hearted support. I think it is a wonderful idea.
"What you aren't aware of is Professor Babbling is leaving at the end of the term to study some ancient runes that have been discovered in Brazil. Madam Hooch is of course leaving with him. And this brings us to why we are here. Miss Granger, I would like you to become an Assistant Professor to Professor Babbling and after he leaves, take his position as a full time professor. Mr. Malfoy, I would like you to also become an Assistant Professor but to Madam Hooch, also to take over the position for next year as flying master & Quidditch coach. This gives you both just under half a year to learn to how to teach.
"That's not all. As Headmistress my time is currently being split between two full time positions. And this split in my attention is not working. You both will be Assistant Professors to me taking over the 1st – 5th year transfiguration classes. I will continue to teach the 6th, 7th and 8th year students because you have too many friends still in those classes. Mr. Malfoy you will teach the 2nd, 4th & 5th year classes, Miss Granger the 1st & 3rd years." She waited a few more moments to let everything sink in. When neither student moved or spoke, "Questions may be asked now."
There was silence for several seconds before Draco spoke, "Professor, I think some of the parents will have a problem with me as an instructor."
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy you are undoubtedly correct. However, Professor Dumbledore hired his fair share of, shall we say, controversial instructors. I am just continuing his tradition." She had a small mischievous smile on her face.
"Professor," this time Hermione was asking, "Draco has been helping me with my project. Will he still be able to?"
"Of course Miss Granger."
They nodded their heads in agreement, so she continued. "Now inside each packet you will find your new schedules, the curriculum for each class you are going to assist with, the list of rules for all professors, a contract of employment that you will need to sign and dress code requirements. You will no longer be able wear your house colors and you will be moved to new quarters. Unfortunately until next year, you will need to share a common room. You will share an office with each of your respective professors. You will be required to sit at the teachers' table at meals and attend all staff meetings. In addition you both will be responsible for watching out for the students on Hogsmead weekends. Any additional questions?"
"Professor?" Hermione asked, "Do we have a choice?" At McGonagall's startled look, "It's just…this is so sudden and I've never thought of being a teacher. And this project we're working on with Professor Flitwick, honestly, I haven't been this excited about anything in a while, I don't want to give up the idea of research and experimenting in the future."
McGonagall gave her a kind and indulgent smile, "Miss Granger, from everything I have come to understand, it was only because of your help for the last 7 years that allowed Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley to make it as far as they did in school. I think this is something you can do and dare I say, enjoy doing. You can continue to research spells and charms and potions in your spare time like all our professors do. If you didn't know, most of the advanced curriculum is taken directly from the professor teaching the class. Anything else?"
"Why is Madam Hooch leaving with Professor Babbling?" Hermione always was one to ask questions.
"They're married. The Brazilian Wizarding community wants to start a professional quidditch team. They have offered her the position of head coach." She waited a beat, "Mr. Malfoy, you've been quiet; anything to add?"
"No. I have no other plans and this seems like an excellent opportunity. Thank you Professor."
"Excellent. I've already asked the house-elves to pack your things and move them to your new quarters. Shall we go and inspect them?" She said as she stood up and indicated that they should leave now.
She led them to their new quarters. There was a separate bedroom & bathroom for each of them, a kitchenette, small eating area and a couch in front of the fire. They each had their own work area set up in the common room. The neutral color palette for the quarters wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy but it was still inviting.
"You're duties start tomorrow. You are to meet with your respective professors and work with them, doing whatever they ask. Any additional questions?"
"Professor? What do we do with our homework that's due on Monday?"
McGonagall couldn't help but laugh at her, "You are welcome to turn it in but it isn't necessary. You are professors now; you give out the homework, not turn it in. I suggest you get used to the idea."
"Professor, what time would you like to see us tomorrow?" Draco asked through his own laughter.
"Directly after breakfast, Mr. Malfoy. Now if there is nothing else?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Actually Professor," Hermione asked as she watched a stern expression appear on her favorite professor's face, "What about the next Hogsmead weekend? For Draco's tattoo? We decided we didn't want to tell anyone until it was done, in case it didn't work. What should we tell our professors? Also, now we're supposed to watch the students while in Hogsmead."
"I will speak to the professors for you and make sure the children are watched in Hogsmead that weekend. Now? Are we done?"
"Yes Professor, thank you for everything." Draco said to make sure Hermione didn't ask any additional questions as he smiled at the aging witch. After that she left the young new professors alone to come to grips with all the changes that had been given to them in a short period of time.
"Well Professor Granger. How's this for an odd situation?"