Mr Malfoy, the selection process has become more specific in order to prove
the worthiness of the candidate. Due to unfortunate circumstances no Dark
Arts teacher has ever lasted more than two years. Now you must pass an
exams showing proper knowledge of the subject, due to the incidence of
Professor Lockhart, you must place the Sorting Hat on your head to prove
you have no hidden secrets, like Professor Lupin and that you are who you
say you are, like Professor Moody. And you must also be able to prove that
you have no connections with the Dark Army, like Professor Quirell. In your
case I will be able to vouch for you and provide proof that you have been
free of all links with them since you left school here. You also must
attend an interview in which both Professor Thomas and myself will attend.
Is that clear?" Professor McGonagall warned him of the high chance of
failing to be offered the job.
"Crystal clear Professor. When shall my interview commence?" He asked politely.
"As soon as Professor Thomas gets out of her class in about 3 minutes. I believe you know our Transfiguration professor. She used to be in the same year as yourself," Professor McGonagall pointed to her throat and suddenly her voice was as quiet as a whisper. "Professor Thomas, please go straight tot he staff room where the interviews for the vacant position will commence," She pointed again and her voice returned to normal. "New discovery. It's the equivalent of the Muggle intercom. It works very well in the school situation," She explained. "Now I would prepare yourself for a shock as you may or may not change your mind about applying for the position after seeing our newest teachers."
"I know Ron and Hermione work here."
"And that doesn't bother you considering your past differences of opinion, to put it lightly."
"Not at all Professor," he told her, reluctant to explain the reasons behind the change in Draco Malfoy. However she seemed to understand and merely nodded towards the staffroom.
"Cotton Tails" she told the statue as it swung open to provide a view of the most comfortable looking room in the castle. To the right there was a roaring fire with eight or ten sofas surrounding it. On the other side of the room were three large tables with six chairs around each. Piles of homework lay abandoned on the tables as teachers lay sleeping on the sofas. The statue swung open again and Draco turned to see Hermione standing in the space. But this was not the Hermione that he remembered; this woman was nothing like the Hermione Granger of the past. She was tall, thin and tanned. Her mouse brown hair had been dyed a few shades redder and it was sleek and smooth. Her teeth were the correct size and her swotty look had been replaced with one of sophistication. Even her robes were different. Instead of the standard black ones, Hermione's were tinged with grey and silver threads were sewn into them.
"Hermione! You look so different. I'm shocked." He gasped.
"You're not the only one who has grown up Draco. Mrs Thomas has also grown somewhat." McGonagall explained. Hermione, who still hadn't spoken, moved across the room towards a cupboard where she pulled the Sorting Hat out. Turning around slowly, she began to speak,
"Sit!" She demanded. "I will place the Hat on your head. There is no point in continuing this interview unless it says you are worthy." The hat was only on his head for a matter of seconds before it shouted out its choice;
"WORTHY! The best so far," it screamed. Draco watched as McGonagall's face slowly turned up into a small smile. He could feel his own face also grinning stupidly, knowing he had only the interview still to do. This was the closest he'd ever come to a job since the war ended and it felt so good. He just prayed that this opportunity wouldn't be snatched away from him like everything else had.
Over the next hour Hermione and McGonagall grilled him on every aspect of his personality. Fortunately there were no awkward questions until Hermione spoke again,
"What did you do during the war?"
"I was fighting!"
"For which side?"
"The ministry's side."
"Can someone vouch for that?" Draco hesitated as he saw that Hermione was determined to delve as deeply as possible into his past. Both women were silent for a moment and seemed to communicate silently. Slowly Hermione nodded and frowned. Then McGonagall spoke again;
"Congratulations Draco! You have the job. How soon can you start?"
"As soon as I can tell my kids."
"That's no problem." And with a swish of her wand Hermione managed to bring both children into the room within seconds. They stood together wondering why they had suddenly entered an unfamiliar room with their teachers and father.
"Well Draco, aren't you going to tell them?" Hermione smiled smugly and an very self-satisfied expression appeared on her face.
"Tell us what daddy?"
"Crystal clear Professor. When shall my interview commence?" He asked politely.
"As soon as Professor Thomas gets out of her class in about 3 minutes. I believe you know our Transfiguration professor. She used to be in the same year as yourself," Professor McGonagall pointed to her throat and suddenly her voice was as quiet as a whisper. "Professor Thomas, please go straight tot he staff room where the interviews for the vacant position will commence," She pointed again and her voice returned to normal. "New discovery. It's the equivalent of the Muggle intercom. It works very well in the school situation," She explained. "Now I would prepare yourself for a shock as you may or may not change your mind about applying for the position after seeing our newest teachers."
"I know Ron and Hermione work here."
"And that doesn't bother you considering your past differences of opinion, to put it lightly."
"Not at all Professor," he told her, reluctant to explain the reasons behind the change in Draco Malfoy. However she seemed to understand and merely nodded towards the staffroom.
"Cotton Tails" she told the statue as it swung open to provide a view of the most comfortable looking room in the castle. To the right there was a roaring fire with eight or ten sofas surrounding it. On the other side of the room were three large tables with six chairs around each. Piles of homework lay abandoned on the tables as teachers lay sleeping on the sofas. The statue swung open again and Draco turned to see Hermione standing in the space. But this was not the Hermione that he remembered; this woman was nothing like the Hermione Granger of the past. She was tall, thin and tanned. Her mouse brown hair had been dyed a few shades redder and it was sleek and smooth. Her teeth were the correct size and her swotty look had been replaced with one of sophistication. Even her robes were different. Instead of the standard black ones, Hermione's were tinged with grey and silver threads were sewn into them.
"Hermione! You look so different. I'm shocked." He gasped.
"You're not the only one who has grown up Draco. Mrs Thomas has also grown somewhat." McGonagall explained. Hermione, who still hadn't spoken, moved across the room towards a cupboard where she pulled the Sorting Hat out. Turning around slowly, she began to speak,
"Sit!" She demanded. "I will place the Hat on your head. There is no point in continuing this interview unless it says you are worthy." The hat was only on his head for a matter of seconds before it shouted out its choice;
"WORTHY! The best so far," it screamed. Draco watched as McGonagall's face slowly turned up into a small smile. He could feel his own face also grinning stupidly, knowing he had only the interview still to do. This was the closest he'd ever come to a job since the war ended and it felt so good. He just prayed that this opportunity wouldn't be snatched away from him like everything else had.
Over the next hour Hermione and McGonagall grilled him on every aspect of his personality. Fortunately there were no awkward questions until Hermione spoke again,
"What did you do during the war?"
"I was fighting!"
"For which side?"
"The ministry's side."
"Can someone vouch for that?" Draco hesitated as he saw that Hermione was determined to delve as deeply as possible into his past. Both women were silent for a moment and seemed to communicate silently. Slowly Hermione nodded and frowned. Then McGonagall spoke again;
"Congratulations Draco! You have the job. How soon can you start?"
"As soon as I can tell my kids."
"That's no problem." And with a swish of her wand Hermione managed to bring both children into the room within seconds. They stood together wondering why they had suddenly entered an unfamiliar room with their teachers and father.
"Well Draco, aren't you going to tell them?" Hermione smiled smugly and an very self-satisfied expression appeared on her face.
"Tell us what daddy?"