6. Friends and Colleagues
The unfortunate result of skipping dinner the night before was that the next morning, Evangeline was ravenous. She remembered that yesterday she'd only eaten one meal, and tea and sweet buns, no matter how tempting, really didn't go a very long way. Well, she'd need to make up for that, immediately. Dressing in her newly cleaned and repaired jeans, and a new green t-shirt; she headed downstairs, eager for some food and company.
During summer term, the head table in the Great Hall was shifted back on its dais and chairs were placed on both sides of it. That way any teachers who were in the school could converse more easily with each other instead of having to stare out over their nonexistent charges as they do the rest of the year. As Evangeline entered the hall, she saw three figures already seated at the table. Dumbledore and Snape were facing her, but another figure, a woman, had her back to the doorway, and didn't see her enter and walk toward the table. As she came up along side, the woman turned and looked at her, immediately breaking into a smile.
"Evangeline! How lovely to see you, my dear! Albus told me you'd joined us. It's been far too long. How have you been?" Evangeline grinned as Minerva McGonagall rose to embrace her former pupil.
"I'm fine, Professor McGonagall. It's good to see you, too. I didn't realize that you were here in the castle at the moment."
"I just arrived this morning, dear. Term starts in three weeks, and I have a lot to do to get ready. All of the professors will be showing up shortly, I'm sure. But please don't call me Professor McGonagall, as if you were still one of my students. It's Minerva, to my friends and colleagues after all." Minerva's face wore a pleasant smile as she spoke kindly to the younger witch.
Pleased at her reception, Evangeline blushed faintly. "That's very kind of you, but it'll take some getting used to. I could never even think of you on a first name basis while I was here at school."
"Well," said Minerva understandingly. "Give it a try, dear. We're much closer to being colleagues now, and I certainly hope we're friends."
"I hope so, too, Minerva," said Evangeline tentatively as she took a seat next to the older woman. She found herself sitting across from Professor Snape, who seemed to be watching their conversation with some amusement. Probably at my embarrassment, she thought. Strange how his mere presence could make her feel slightly uncomfortable, as if she'd done something wrong or had spinach stuck to her teeth.
Evangeline nodded to Snape and Dumbledore, wishing them a good morning. They both nodded back, and Professor Dumbledore went on to add, "I hope you've settled in comfortably, Evangeline. Severus told me that you were able to obtain almost everything you needed on your shopping trip yesterday."
"Yes." She glanced at the enigmatic Snape, who sat there with glittering eyes, watching her closely but offering no hint as to his thoughts. "Professor Snape was very kind to guide me around Hogsmeade. I only lack one potion ingredient, which I hope to be able to obtain before I'll need to use it. There shouldn't be too much of a rush. I still have to inventory the castle paintings, and determine exactly what needs to be done, before I can get to work."
"Yes, I've arranged for Mr. Filch, our caretaker, to take you on a tour after breakfast so you can get started. I find that I'm quite looking forward to the project myself. The paintings in this castle have been neglected for far too long. Not that they've been complaining, mind you, still it's fortuitous that you've come to us now. They could all use a bit of a facelift. I only wish you could work your magic on the living as well," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
Evangeline laughed. "No, I'm afraid I only have uplifting effects on paintings."
Minerva spontaneously reached over and patted her hand affectionately. "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that, dear. I, for one, am very glad to find that you've joined us."
Evangeline felt quite happy to have both of them beaming at her. When she glanced at Professor Snape, though, he stared back at her with an expression she couldn't read and silently lowered his eyes to sip his tea. Oh, well, two out of three isn't bad, I guess, she thought ruefully, as she reached for the plate of sausages in front of her.