Chapter 8 – The Minister of Magic

Headmistress McGonagall had called in a staff meeting in the morning, telling everyone about Mrs Granger-Weasley's stay at Hogwarts and spun some tale about a magical accident involving the Minister of Magic that was to be kept secret. It would be left to Hermione to tell the truth to those she trusted. Professor Longbottom offered his support if any plants were needed and Professor Trelawney muttered about unbreakable curses, bad omens and hunting ghosts, but most of the professors simply accepted the fact and continued with their normal daily chatter as they went down to breakfast.

One professor didn't say anything, but her caramel eyes narrowed when she heard about the visitor. Professor Sprouse stood in the back of the room with her arms crossed and her nearly six feet towered over most of the other professors. Her high cheekbones, dark lashes and a small mole right under her left eye made her a good-looking woman by most standards. She had joined the staff the year before and was the youngest in their midst, but highly skilled in her field.

Having gone to school at Uagadou School of Magic after her family had fled Great Britain before Voldemort's second terror regime. She was skilled at wandless magic in a way others couldn't even manage with their wands. Still she taught a class that didn't use magic at all: Astronomy.

Her father, Fabian Sprouse was a Half-blood from the Netherlands and had taken his family to Africa's safety, hiding them in Swaziland, now known as the Kingdom of Eswatini. They had lived in a small flat at Mbabane when she was a kid and life had been strange as the only blond and fair-skinned child, but she hadn't cared.

Her mother, Milena Selwyn, had made sure they fled, fearing for her family's life, when her own brother, a Death Eater, announced that the Dark Lord would be back. It had taken them a few years until they settled in but they were happy and so they hadn't left when the good news of Voldemort's final death reached them.

Her father's death three years ago, though, had changed it all. Her mother had begged her to move to England, to many memories were tied to Mbabane. She wanted to spend the rest of her life in the country in which she was born and still loved dearly. Luna had asked for a year to finish her Mastery in Astronomy and made it possible for them to move.

That Professor Sinistra was then looking for a successor and had been a lucky providence, or it had been fate, only a matter of whom you asked.

For now Professor Sprouse knew that something more was behind the Headmistress' story just by looking at the older woman.

There was always the possibility that Saturn's sudden return was tied to this event, that at least was what her gut instinct told her, an instinct she trusted since she was a little girl.

xXx

After breakfast, the Headmistress was alone in her office until one of the portraits told her she had a guest waiting at the Gargoyle. Classes would start in a few minutes so she hoped it wasn't one of her professors or students, either would mean bad news.

She settled herself into her chair and waited for the visitor to knock on her door.

"Come in."

The young witch she saw a few moments later made her smile. It was a pleasant surprise to see her this early.

"I hope you settled in well Hermione." she offered the chair opposite of hers and called for her House-elf as soon as the other woman had settled.

"Please bring some tea for us Frilly."

The small elf Hermione had already met the night before bowed and vanished with a small pop.

"Professor McGonagall please accept my apologies for yesterday." Hermione started and was happy to see the strict but loved professor of her childhood smile at her.

"Minerva, please. There's no need for formalities between us. I met your other self a lot since she was appointed as Minister of Magic. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Hermione's eyes widened and her hand covered her mouth as she whispered a shocked denial.

"No! Please tell me I'm not the Minister of Magic in this world."

"No one told you?" Minerva was ashamed of her lack of tact, while Hermione shook at head in response.

"I shouldn't have assumed you knew, please accept my apologies."

There was an awkward silence between them while Hermione tried to sort out the chaos in her head this new revelation had caused. When the Headmistress had offered her the job as a professor yesterday she had thought she could take her up on it without further trouble, but now there was a lot to consider.

Minerva could see the fire in Hermione's eyes. The young woman was still as determined as she had known her. Give her a problem and she would do anything to solve it until it was. It was why she was such a good Minister of Magic. It would be a huge loss for the Magical community if she quit, but after seeing her in the state she had been in yesterday, she was more worried for the woman herself than for the government. She wanted her to have a second choice, so she had offered her a place in the school. Even if she don't take it Minerva would always have a soft spot for her old student.

"There is nothing to apologize for. I wasn't prepared for this news but I thank you for letting me know. I originally came to ask if I could take your offer to stay at school."

There was a steel in Hermione that hadn't been there before. She had always been strict but with a softer air to her. Minerva could see the influence her old college had on the young woman.

"You are welcome here any time Hermione. I already told the professors that you would stay for some time. There was nothing revelled about the reasons but a small reference to a magical accident. If you want me to acquaint you with them you are welcome to join us in the Staff Room or in the Great Hall whenever you want to."

"I would like that very much but I think I need a few days to get accustomed to larger groups."

Hermione didn't mention that she used more than one detour on her way here to avoid students in the halls. She had even hidden in a secret passage when a group of seven passed by her. It wasn't so much the students themselves but a panic she couldn't keep down once someone was behind her. Her constant fear they could attack her was as much frightening as it was annoying to her. It was like her imagination was at war with her logical mind.

"Understandable." Minerva stirred her tea that appeared on the table between them. "Sugar or milk?"

"Both please."

The rest of the time the woman kept away from darker themes and talked about the school and Minerva's life. As strange as it was, Minerva simply thought of her as an old friend who had spend the last twenty years aboard.

I reupdated all the old chapters after EvaFanFic has done an awesome work betaing them. Check them out if you want.

I noticed the first lemon is still sooo far away I added some into the next chapter. But just a tiny little bit.