Hello again! I have been looking up so much information regarding Hogwarts and the wizarding world of Harry Potter. It brings back a lot of memories :') Btw don't mind me if I stuff up the years. My eyes have become quite crossed trying to calculate backwards and forwards. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that looks familiar to the world of Harry Potter.
After the last class for the day, Hermione trudged up the stairs in the direction of the Headmistress' office. She was weary from the way students had been whispering and looking at her the whole week. That damnable newspaper sure gave them something to talk about. She breathed in deeply. Hopefully there something else riveting in the news soon and everyone would have forgotten the blasted wedding picture.
Mid-way up a flight of steps, she heard someone calling out to her from behind so she stopped at the landing and turned. A seventh-year Gryffindor student was running up the stairs and came to a halt in front of her, pushing his floppy hair back as he grinned. Hermione narrowed her eyes. Surely no student would be mental enough to chase after her to ask about the photo.
"Professor Granger, I was wondering something," he began, shifting his weight from one foot to another.
Hermione didn't respond.
"Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me the next weekend?" A tinge of pink coloured his cheeks.
Hermione could feel a grin coming onto her face. This was something she had not expected. She schooled her expression into one that was neutral before answering him. "Thank you but no. Hogsmeade weekends are meant for students. Now, run along and get back to your common room before the curfew."
She watched to make sure the boy went back in the direction of the Gryffindor common room before she went up one more flight of stairs and turned the corner.
"Popular, aren't you?"
There it was, the familiar voice she hadn't heard in over a week. The owner was leaning against the wall next to the gargoyle statue that led to the Headmistress' office. A week since that photo. A week since he had befuddled her with his admission of being 'proud' of her. "Haven't seen you around the past week," said Hermione as she walked towards the statue. "Don't you eat at all at least?"
"I do, Granger, but perhaps our timings don't coincide. And I certainly don't make it a point to linger around waiting for students or professors to accost me," replied Snape as they both clambered under the wings of the gargoyle.
"I was most certainly not lingering around the stairs," Hermione retorted indignantly. Then she caught the ghost of a smile on Snape's face and shook her head. "That was the first time it happened."
"I'm quite astounded at Mr Benson's alacrity in propositioning a professor. You need to be sterner with the children, Granger."
Hermione's lip twitched. "I highly doubt that could be considered as a proposition."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "A Hogsmeade date?"
"It was not going to be a date. Besides, I can go to Hogsmeade anytime."
"Would you have gone with him then, had the venue not been Hogsmeade?"
"That would be highly inappropriate. I'm his professor, and also because of his age."
Snape nodded. "It would have been quite disgusting to see you throw yourself at Mr Benson."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Excuse me!"
A clearing of the throat interrupted both of them. Minerva McGonagall stood looking at both of them expectantly. Hermione blushed and moved to make way for the older witch who stepped in easily and gave the password to the office.
"I trust whatever discussion you two may have been engaged in could be put on hold during tonight's meeting." Minerva stepped out into the office when the statue stopped turning and proceeded to take her seat behind the broad study desk. Several other staff were already in her office and talking in low voices but they quietened upon her entry.
"Certainly, Minerva." Snape threw a dirty look at Hermione as if she was the one who instigated their earlier conversation.
Hermione, who came to a stop next to Snape, stepped hard on the side of his shoe, though not wholly by accident. Immediately, long fingers circled her wrist and gripped tightly. She looked up. Snape was frowning intently at her miscreant foot. "Sorry!" she exclaimed as she moved her foot away.
At once, his fingers slid off as fluidly as they had latched on just moments ago. Her blood throbbed through her wrist; the vessels seemed to be working twice as hard after having been constricted by him.
Minerva cleared her throat. "Thank you all for coming to tonight's meeting. There will be two major events for this school year. The first will be the celebration of Hogwarts' 1010th year anniversary on the 1st of December. The second will be on the 2nd of May, a special memorial for the seventh year since the end of the battle.
"The usual festivities will carry on as they always have – Halloween, Christmas and so on. Now, the memorial should not be an issue as we will carry it out like we always have, maybe adjust the agenda a little here and there to accommodate a speech or two from certain distinguished guests. It is the anniversary event that concerns me.
"Next May will mark seven years since the end of the second wizarding war. While the Ministry has been working to round up the last remaining few Death Eaters who have evaded capture, there is no imminent danger for the wider community. That being said, we can't afford to lower our guards in protecting the safety of the students in our care."
Here, Minerva paused before she unrolled a piece of parchment. "This anniversary event will be something of a first time for Hogwarts but it should not be anything too unusual. External guests will be invited. The event will include a ball but I think there should be something more than just dancing and merrymaking." She set her quill on the parchment and looked expectantly at the staff who were all looking right back at her.
Professor Binns coughed as he floated up above the rest of the staff. "If I may suggest something?"
"Yes?"
"How about a speech on the history of Hogwarts through the years?"
"That sounds like a good idea. What about something more interactive? Like letting people go back in time, so to speak. Without actually going back in time," offered Hermione.
"Like an illusion?" asked Snape.
"Exactly. And maybe some myths and legends would be interesting too," Hermione said, pleading Binns with her eyes.
The professor gave a sniff. "It is my custom not to talk about myths and legends. But I could make an exception for this event."
Professor Sinistra sniffed. "A midnight tour of the astronomy tower would be far more engaging."
"And who do you expect to stay sober and engaged at midnight, Sinistra? Half the guest would be too tipsy that all the constellations would look alike." Snape sneered in her direction.
"Maybe enchant the ceiling to show off the constellations?" suggested Professor Sprout. "And tag them with some information so those who want to know more can just reach out to it."
"Wonderful suggestion, Sprout," said Sinistra warmly. "At least better than some who only criticise without any constructive feedback."
Hermione held onto Snape's sleeve and tugged it when she saw he moved as if to say something. Then she let her hand go when she felt his gaze on her.
Professor Flitwick cleared his throat. "A performance by the choir, perhaps?"
"That would be lovely," beamed Minerva. "Perhaps at the beginning when guests arrive and one final song before my opening speech as Headmistress."
"I could provide a complimentary reading," suggested Professor Trelawney, her crystal ball appearing out of nowhere.
Minerva pursed her lips. "I don't know if you want to give readings, Sybill. That would make you seem like …"
"A muggle fortune-teller?" offered Hermione.
Minerva gave a half-smile. "Exactly. While Divination is not easily … appreciated by most, overdoing it can reduce the … sacredness of the subject."
At this, Hermione heard Snape give a snort and she herself had to hold back a grin. Most of the time Trelawney gave wacky predictions based on random things about them. "I don't think we require her life-changing prophecies for the moment," whispered Hermione to Snape. He smirked.
"No readings, then," said Professor Trelawney, her face falling a little.
"Maybe you could assist Sinistra with the astronomy part, Sybill?" asked Minerva.
Trelawney nodded reluctantly as she moved to stand next to Sinistra, eyeing the other witch suspiciously.
"Maybe Flitwick could help with the decorations? Sprout, you too?" suggested Minerva. "And Hermione?"
Flitwick nodded in agreement, as did Sprout. "Sure," said Hermione, beaming.
"I will supply the usual hangover cures, healing potions and antidotes," said Snape.
Minerva nodded. "Thank you, Severus." Her quill continued to scribble down what was being discussed. "Anyone else with suggestions?"
No one said anything else so Minerva began to delegate the work between the staff on the layout, itinerary and all other details that would be needed to make sure the event ran smoothly.
Hermione didn't miss the pointed look that Minerva had sent Snape afterwards, and that only he had stayed behind while the rest of the staff had taken their leave once the meeting concluded.
