Visit To Hogsmeade
The hall of the town house emanated the quietness of an unoccupied place. Leonor powered up the lights to glance at the mirror. She turned in front of it, carefully stepping over some luggage in the narrow passage between the front and back door. Leonor laced the hair quickly in a tight bun. It matched well with the long wizarding gown. She smoothed out invisible creases in the dress and felt satisfied with the seriousness issued by the dark colours and the formal appearance. Leonor owned this house, one that felt not like a home yet. She barely knew the details of the rooms and was again about to leave for today.
Pauline, Leonor's eagle owl, delivered an application letter to Hogwarts. The answer to it came late and took Leonor by surprise after some weeks of waiting. Leonor applied for many jobs in the past years; she was used to it. Still, an invitation to Hogwarts was something special and her heart pounded in anticipation. Leonor gave private lessons at the university to earn muggle money with little effort. It was the only teaching experience; her hopes to be accepted as a teacher at 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' were small. A teacher wasn't her regular profession and Leonor never intended it to be.
She stepped into the backyard and the tension changed into mild excitement. Leonor looked forward to apparating into Hogsmeade. She planned a visit to the well-known wizarding location and to buy some Christmas presents. She'd not been to the place before but heard of it. It was worthwhile to do some sightseeing before the interview began.
An almost imperceptible plop announced Leonor's arrival in a quiet main street of the wizarding settlement. The village was cosy, and much larger than Leonor had expected it. There were many shops for various wizarding needs. The lights showed the approaching season. One store window caught Leonor's attention. It offered Italian robes and Leonor couldn't help to visit it straightaway. It reminded her of the warm climate in Rome, and the hospitality given while enjoying delicious food. The laughter of southern breeziness sent a friendly shiver down Leonor's spine.
"Good morning! How do you do?" greeted the shop assistant with a chubby face.
Leonor smiled back at the young woman and replied, "Good morning! You sell Italian designer clothing. Where do you get it from?"
"It's a Christmas special. We usually order based on catalogue for our clients from a dealer in Milan. Would you like to try something?"
"Sorry, not today. I've got an appointment and look for some presents, but I will return if I have more time. It's very quiet here, isn't it?"
The shop assistant grinned mischievously. "You should come if the students flood the street! It's totally different. Weekends and evening hours are busy too. May I ask where you are from?"
"I live in London and find Diagon Alley too busy most of the time. It's my first visit here. Can you recommend a place to have a good lunch?"
"I suggest 'The Three Broomsticks'. Madam Rosmerta will spoil you with plain cooking, but it might be busy too. There are more and more frantic last-minute shoppers. Please come here, we have nice little things for your loved ones. Our bestsellers are those pretty fine scarfs, very soft and charmed to never cool off." The young woman led Leonor to a side table with a nearly finished pile of silk scarfs. It was a beautiful gift for Maria. Her friend would like the quality and the warm colours.
Leonor exited happily to walk into the next shop with an excellent hint about what to buy for Francesco and Matteo. Belgian chocolate would do for the father and some funny joke item for the son. Leonor liked Hogsmeade. All shops made a professional impression without pressing sales talk. The village was a beautiful mix of the slightly outdated wizarding society. An apothecary and a weird pub in a side street seemed the only blot in the provincial life. A pity, it would have been too perfect to even buy potion supplies here.
Leonor sat in the tavern ordering a lemonade and steak pie. The weather in Scotland was much better than the gloomy dampness of London. The sunshine warmed a small spot on the table. The eyes of the witch travelled out of the window into the direction of Hogwarts. She didn't need the teaching post but had always wished to visit the school and meet Albus Dumbledore. Both were like icons of Britain and Leonor noticed more than once the restrained in the British wizarding world if she couldn't prove to know the school.
The sharp eye of the landlady followed every move of the newcomer. When Leonor finished the meal, Madam Rosmerta guessed that Leonor must be here because of the advertisement for the temporary teaching post. Rosmerta was a frequent reader of the Daily Prophet and missed nothing, not even the smallest notice about the school. The teachers in defence against the dark arts changed every year for more than ten years now, but even the landlady considered it as remarkable that the current teacher was through with it before New Year. The professor was a popular teacher, and nobody reported any problems.
"Have there been other applicants?" asked Leonor quickly.
"I haven't seen or heard anything," shrugged Rosmerta and returned behind the bar.
Leonor didn't know what to expect. The advertisement said not much. At least a visit to Hogwarts was an opportunity Leonor would never have without sending own children to the school.
XXX
Leonor followed the sloping path to the gates. She straightened herself when she spotted the waiting escort. The headmaster wrote about a half-giant picking her up. The information helped to put on the usual professionalism; it was easier to suppress the surprise. Leonor's mind told her that alone the invitation was useful to small talk and it would bring the necessary attention in case the sorting into houses became a topic again. She told herself that there was nothing to worry; the studies were already financed, and another income was welcome on top of it. She greeted Rubeus Hagrid with a nonchalant smile.
The gamekeeper and professor for magical creatures opened the gate framed by the immense wild boars. Within minutes the witch learned about the man's gushy pride, the importance of the job, and the brilliance of Dumbledore. Leonor was amused and wondered if everybody admired the headmaster and told it at first chance. The Hogwarts grounds, the huge building, and the big marble staircases made Leonor more curious. Everything was impressive and new. Hagrid led Leonor purposefully through the students and after muttering a password the young witch moved up the spiral staircase to the headmaster's office. Leonor heard voices; one was cross at something. It was a woman saying, "Is it really necessary? What if it's a trick, a mole? Albus, it is a high risk for several of us!"
Leonor decided not to listen in further. It distracted from the interview and created a negative mood without being confident that the conversation was about the advertisement for the temporary teacher. She knocked and heard the request to enter right afterwards as if somebody saw her coming. The circular room appeared elegant but functional. Leonor noticed numerous artefacts, some known, others not. An old bearded man blinked friendly while offering a hand to Leonor.
"Good afternoon, Ms Scott. I am Albus Dumbledore and this is our deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall." The headmaster gestured towards the stern looking woman with a mischievous glance in his eyes.
"Good afternoon, nice to meet you. I am Leonor Scott." Leonor shook hands while Professor McGonagall looked her up and down showing a reluctant thin-lipped expression.
"Let's sit down!" Dumbledore pointed to a chair and both women seated opposite the headmaster.
"Minerva, please start questioning!" Dumbledore gave an encouraging smile to the headmistress but earned only a gruff grunt of discomfort.
"You know my questions Albus, but if you want me to start I will," said the elderly woman testily. "Ms Scott, your profession is a healer. Why don't you apply at St. Mungo's? I'm sure they seek young talented witches like you." The intonation emphasized 'talented' and it showed that McGonagall wasn't satisfied with Leonor's education. Leonor was positive that McGonagall neither approved her CV nor the appearance.
Leonor replied calmly, "Yes, it is correct. My main profession is healer and I am continuing my study. I worked in different locations in the past years to gain experience in healing injuries caused by the dark arts. I have a wide knowledge of dark hexes, curses, poisoning or non-friendly magical creature's attacks. I know how to use defensive spells, counter curses or how to heal the after-effects of black magic."
"I doubt that defence and combat are part of a healer's curriculum!" said McGonagall sarcastically.
"No, it's not Professor," answered Leonor determined. "Nevertheless, I've learned and used the skills in the past."
Professor McGonagall watched Leonor carefully, like a hawk in anticipation of a sacrificed answer. Leonor considered hard how much she wanted to show about the hidden life, the secret employment and the reason why she moved to England. She was glad when Dumbledore raised a hand and motioned Professor McGonagall to let it alone.
"Minerva is interested in the best education of the students. You have obviously powerful friends who acknowledged you a wide knowledge of the Dark Arts. I believe your references are enough to manage a part-time assignment with Professor Lupin's assistance well enough." Dumbledore pierced Leonor's eyes with a thoroughly searching look, and she met his gaze, forcing herself to indifference. The headmaster knew something, and he probed her. Surprisingly, he stopped after a while without further questions about education, profession, and experiences.
"Ms Scott, are you able to start at Hogwarts today?"
Leonor swallowed the surprise. She'd thought the application was already a lost case.
"Professor Dumbledore, please can you describe the work and the schedule when I'm required? It was not written in the advertisement."
"You need to stand in for Professor Lupin, once every month at the full moon. Three days will suffice, but for this month I appreciate your stay over the new year break. Professor Lupin will provide you with details to teach. Is it feasible till the end of the term?"
Dumbledore bored again into Leonor's eyes. McGonagall was taken aback and gasped for breath. Leonor thought quickly about the reason of that work schedule. She remembered some moon cycle dependent potions or the unfortunate situation to care of a werewolf in the family. Dumbledore didn't press Leonor's decision but offered no more information either. Leonor looked away from the two professors and fixated on one of the unknown magical devices before speaking.
"I can do it and start right away if you allow gathering my personal belonging in London. Nevertheless, I need to leave on the twenty-ninth to help friends over the seasonal festivities. They count on me and won't find a substitute."
"Well, this will do Ms Scott. Welcome to Hogwarts! Minerva, please introduce our new staff member to Remus. I take it for granted that he won't have objections. Please arrange some quarters too." Dumbledore stood and shook hands with Leonor; his blue eyes shining in omniscience. "Ms Scott, I trust you will avoid more accidents."
XXX
The headmaster's answer was vague, but his gesture unmistakeable. McGonagall and Leonor had been dismissed without further ado. Leonor made a mental note to figure out the 'accident' and followed a seething Professor McGonagall down the moving staircases. The young witch was more curious than ever. The two women entered Lupin's study with a knock to the ancient door.
"Remus, the headmaster interviewed Ms Scott and wants her to start tomorrow. Have you any questions?" Minerva emphasised the sentence putting her disapproval to every word and look.
Meanwhile, Leonor watched the other professor, noticing the scars in his face, the worn robes. She realized what the headmaster withheld. Lupin was startled by the unexpected visitors, fumbled on Leonor's letter on his desk. He didn't read it and searched a way out of the situation.
"Your application is convincing," he said shaking Leonor's hand absentmindedly.
"Do you like me to introduce myself, Professor Lupin?" asked Leonor amused and astonished by the peculiar situation.
"If you like—," agreed Lupin relieved. McGonagall shot him an angry look.
"My name is Leonor Scott. I'm a healer and worked in the last three years in different places in Europe to improve my knowledge. I specialized in the Dark Arts including defensive spells, combat and long-term recovery. I'm working now on temporary assignments to take a final examination at the Magical Medical Committee next summer."
Leonor was interrupted by a further knock on the door. The professor called, "Enter!" A man with long black and straggly hair entered the room. The man's eyes analysed the scene with a flicker of suppressed surprise.
"Lupin, your drink!" The dark-haired professor paused before he continued with a sneer. "Take it before it cools off! I can bring more if needed."
Lupin placed the cup nervously to a sideboard. "Thank you very much, Severus. I'll take the Strengthening Solution soon." The feigned politeness did not reduce the tension about the colleague bringing the potion in an unwelcome moment.
Leonor stared at the faintly smoking potion. It confirmed her perception. Nobody told her about the presence of the werewolf at the school. A quick glance at the dark teacher was final proof, his face contorted into a dismissive frown. The white lie didn't go well with a healer or a person adept in potions. Leonor distinguished a Wolfsbane Potion from a Strengthening Solution easily.
"How you like it Lupin, good afternoon!" The dark professor gave Leonor a furtive glance and nodded briefly to the deputy headmistress while turning to leave the room. McGonagall stopped him quickly.
"Severus, a moment, please! Remus any objections against Albus' decision?" The last hope that Remus Lupin found a reason to turn down the applicant resonated in the room with a strong Scottish accent. Obviously, nobody objected against Dumbledore anyway.
"No, not at all!"
The older witch in the traditional tartan dress was not pleased with the cheerful answer. She continued to explain the next actions. Leonor had to sit in Lupin's classes the next day to start teaching the other for the last two days before the Christmas break. Leonor was expected the next morning before lessons latest.
"Severus, please walk Ms Scott to the front door. I'll arrange for some quarters with Mr Filch," said Professor McGonagall. "Ms Scott, do you intend to come here tonight?"
"I suppose a late arrival is fine?"
McGonagall looked unfriendly but nodded in agreement. "Well, you are expected in the classroom tomorrow morning. Severus, please would you be so kind?"
The dark-haired man smirked at Lupin and opened the door promptly to let Leonor pass. His dislike of the werewolf and to obey the deputy headmistress in the matter was obvious.
XXX
The professor walked quickly and little ahead of Leonor down the stairs. He did not talk nor look at her. Leonor could not deny that the encounter was thrilling and mysterious. The castle was quiet. Likely lessons were in progress. He stopped next to the large front gate and said, "I suppose you find your way back."
Leonor turned to look at the man searching for the right words. She accepted the momentary silence. Leonor looked at his pallid complexion framed by the lank strands of black hair. There was something noticeable about it. His eyes rested on her face, expressionless and examining at the same time. She was tempted to read his mind but decided to better mark her respect.
"Thank you, Professor. I'm sorry for the improper introduction. I'm Leonor Scott and will stand in during Professor Lupin's indisposition."
Leonor stretched out her hand with a little smile unsure if the person opposite would take it. A subtle change of emotions crossed the professor's face. Leonor waited for him to speak, to take her hand and doubting if she would make a fool of herself. After a long moment of hesitation, he answered with a quiet voice and a cool handshake, a grin on his face.
"Severus Snape, Professor Scott. Anything else I can do for you?"
"Where can I find Mr Filch tonight?"
"Down the corridor and into the dungeons," he said with a small bow pointing to a landing leading downstairs.
"Thanks again. I would like to exchange some views with a potions master. Maybe we find some time while your Wolfsbane Potion keeps us save?!" said Leonor and left quickly into the yard and towards the village without looking back.
Severus stood still at the front door looking after her. His annoyance about another extra for the werewolf was balanced by the woman. She had been bright enough to notice Lupin's state and the potion too. He couldn't tell what was different about her, maybe she just did not understand that a Slytherin was better left alone.