Disclaimer: The characters are Rowling's, while the song is 10cc's.
I'm not in love
When she walked into my office, my carefully laid plans fell to pieces. She stood there awkwardly, looking for the right foot to put forward, raising her chin to meet my eyes defiantly. She greeted me politely, then sat down at my request, waiting for me to speak. She treated me as if she had never met me.
I never thought her smile could harm.
So don't forget it
Her smile never faltered as I stared at her, collecting my thoughts from the floor.I had forgotten how beautiful she could be. I dug up some memories of her, and found the woman sitting before me to be the almost the same, except her eyes.
Her eyes had always sparkled with kindness, humor and power, but now I only saw the power. They were fierce eyes belonging to a warrior, not the kind eyes that had found my heart. They were fierce eyes, but they held no violence. They were just observing calmly, dispassionately. No emotion shone through, not even anger.
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
I thought she would have been angry, or on the offensive, but here she sat, meek, yet ready, waiting for me to make the first move. I found I didn't know what to expect, or even what she wanted. I had called her here for an interview, but I had been expecting an assault.
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong
I took that long moment to look at her, and found I was facing a woman I didn't know. This was not the girl who had left me. This was not the girl who had plagued my thoughts and memories for the last two years. This was not the girl I had loved.
Don't think you've got it made
I had planned to send her from the interview with a polite rejection. I would murmur some politely worded phrases indicating that she was not yet fully qualified for such an important position, despite her name coming to my mind first. She just didn't have the experience necessary for such an important position.
However, as I questioned her, it became obvious that, although she was no longer the girl I knew, she was still the impressive witch I had once taught.
I'm not in love
I hired her, of course. No one in their right mind would pass up an opportunity of employing Hermione Granger, witch extraordinaire.
No, no (it's because...)
The first staff dinner was slightly awkward. Even though she was the newest on staff, her rank traditionally sat next to me. Ian, having heard about Hermione's appointment, had gracefully ceded the seat to her, but she objected to his displacement. When it became clear that her stubborn nature was going to make a mountain out of a molehill, I quietly intervened by pulling the chair out for her.
I'd like to see you
When she finally acquiesced and sat down, she cast me an odd look. I returned to my seat beside her, and covered my puzzlement with Albus' customary toast: "May all curses be lifted, and blessings be doubled. Long life and tenure for all."
I noticed her still looking at me when I sat back down, so I smirked at her. She relaxed visibly, though that odd look returned, but only for a moment. Too soon she turned her attention onto the handsome youth who had graciously given up his seat.
But then again
I felt something stir as she laughed at Ian's stupid jokes, and grew restless as she bantered playfully in the same manner. A quick stab of anger hit me as I realized that her humor was not lost, but it wasn't for me anymore.
It doesn't mean you mean that much to me
My fork hit the pie a little too forcefully, and a splash of gravy hit her hand. She looked at me quizzically, and when I apologized politely, she merely nodded giving me that look again before turning back to Ian with a smile.
So if I call you
When a break in their conversation presented itself I cut in, very smoothly, allowing Hermione an opportunity to relieve herself from Ian's inane banter.
Don't make a fuss
She furrowed her brows slightly at my interruption, replied politely, then turned back to Ian. With a smile.
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I realized I was glowering when Ian gave me a bemused glance, then looked to Hermione curiously. I quickly smoothed my face out, though winced involuntarily when I heard her explain in a quiet voice: "I think he was happy to see the last of me at the end of the war. I imagine it galls him to have to resort to me as a teacher."
I suddenly found myself without any appetite.
I'm not in love
No, no (it's because...)
As soon as was acceptable I excused myself, not wanting to intrude on the young couple any longer. I decided to go for a walk around the grounds, hoping a little fresh air would calm my upset stomach.
(Be quiet... Big boys don't cry...)
(Big boys don't cry...)
Returning to my quarters that night, I found a note flying around the circular room. Grabbing the airplane from its circuit, I quickly read it before banishing it to the appropriate file. I looked around the room, and noticing the portraits staring curiously, decided to retire to my bedroom early.
I keep your picture
Closing the bookcase behind me, I looked around my chambers with a sinking heart. There were reminders of her everywhere that I hadn't really noticed until I saw her again. Half my books had been read by her, and most still held her bookmarks, with notes on what might be important.
Upon the wall
Unconsciously I walked to the wall by the window, a nightly routine I had developed after she'd left. Without thinking I picked up the album from the shelf and opened it to page in the middle, the page it always opened to.
It hides a nasty stain that's lying there
There she was, smiling up at me, waving an enthusiastic hand. Thinking Potter had taken the photo, that she was waving at Potter, not me, I had tried destroying it when she left, but she had charmed it to be indestructible.
I smiled at her foresight, and her knowledge of my persnickety moods. I frowned at how long it had taken me to figure out the truth.
So don't you ask me
To give it back
She had known I might get angry and try to destroy all evidence of her in my life. How she'd known, I still didn't know, but she did. She had wanted me to keep a piece of her with me, for god knows what reason. In the end, I hadn't the heart to deny her.
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I looked at the picture once again, and tried to feel the world as it revolved around the two of us. I closed my eyes, remembering the feel of the breeze she'd create as she rushed toward me for a hug. I remembered how when she wrapped her arms around me I felt like I was the ruler of the world, and Voldemort was just a pawn.
Her kiss would remind me that ruling the world wasn't nearly as important as her.
I'm not in love
No, no (It's because...)
Before I knew it, I was down the stairs, heading for her room. I paused when I reached her corridor; two years was a very long time. She had probably moved on.
Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh, you'll wait a long time
It was too long to have waited.
Ooh, you'll wait a long time
Ooh, you'll wait a long time
I debated with myself on how to proceed.
I'm not in love
Walking to her door, I tried to think of what to say to make it all right.
So don't forget it
I didn't need her love anymore, but I knew, without a doubt, that I needed her forgiveness. I needed to make it right.
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
As I raised my hand to knock, I hesitated. I refused to be seen as a lovesick fool.
And just because I call you up
But we really needed to clear the air.
Don't get me wrong
Before I could think further, my fist met wood. I had to wait now.
Don't think you've got it made
I could barely swallow as the door creaked open.
I'm not in love
And I met her eyes with mine...
I'm not in love
AN:Only one more to go.