Chapter 17
Severus`belief that he never would be considered seriously as candidate for the post as Headmaster was dispelled. After deliberating and discussing animatedly the board of governors had confirmed him at Dumbledore`s request but they`d had their doubts. In the month since then the school had been inundated by missives from various governors demanding heexplain every decision again and again. Minerva had assured him that Dumbledore himself had experienced this at first, and that it would go over. Severus doubted that somewhat but counted himself lucky to have her as his deputy, now that he had been officially taking over the post as she surely had prevented him from making many a false step by now.
Some days after his confirmation as Headmaster, Minerva had invited herself to Severus` quarters, and as this was the first time ever she had done such a thing Severus suspected something was off. "I am very thankful to you for your support at this time Minerva, I know you had wanted to retire from the deputy position but I would appreciate it if you stayed on until further notice as you know considerably more about my new job than I do". He said hoping she wasn't about to declare that she was retiring just yet.
"I am prepared to stay, but you should know that I will be contacting the other teachers in the hope of finding someone willing to take on my duties at a later time. But this was not why I was rude enough to invite myself here today" she said looking a bit uncomfortable.
Severus looked at her curiously "and why did you want to see me today"?
Minerva fiddled in an uncharacteristic way before blurting out "you surely know that the school policies on relationships between teachers are a bit antiquated. But I am unsure if you are aware of the rules concerning relations between the Headmaster or mistress and the teachers of an opposite sex?"
"I must admit my ignorance of such rules, I suspect you are here about that then?"
Blushing slightly Minerva said "I know this sounds stupid, but you cannot continue working so closely with the other female teachers, such as it seems you are doing with professor Reiks unless you are married or betrothed".
"I cannot work closely with any female teacher unless we are married or formally betrothed, but how does that affect my working with you then? he said nonplussed.
Minerva smiled crookedly "strangely the rules only applies for the younger teachers, this is why the ministry never protested my working closely with Albus".
Severus nodded in a thoughtful manner and Minerva excused herself seemingly relieved to have gotten away with delivering such unwelcome news.
After thinking hard for some time, Severus called on Jen. "You seem a bit out of sorts" she said as he made himself comfortable in the charir opposite her desk.
He smiled thinly saying "Minerva just aquainted me with an antiquated rule that concerns us. according to this rule I cannot work closely with a female teacher of my own age unless we are married or betrothed".
"Then that is easily remedied then" she said, if you feel you need me I will happily agree to a bethrothal that can last until we finish Voldemort for good. But you will have to explain this to Harrison, I fear he may take it entirely the wrong way if you don`t explain why we do this."
Feeling relieved that she had proposed this plan herself, he readily agreed and they made arrangements for announcing their bethrothal to the public as soon as possible.
Finally Christmas was looming and the holidays had never been so welcome before, the transfer to full time headmaster had been extremely demanding on Severus.
If he was honest with himself he`d never have dreamed that he would have looked forward to spending the holiday with Black of all people. As it was the case, he`d at least made Harry happy by telling him they would celebrate together with his godfather. To himself he let Jen have the blame for this, she`d given him the idea to add Black to his list of confidantes. She`d argued that as a member of one of the oldest pureblood families he had connections that could be valuable when searching for the Horcruxes .
Severus wasn`t too surprised to find Lupin in attendance also, when they flooed to Black`s house. They greeted each other stiffly, and went to their respective rooms.
Harry had been packed off to bed sometime later, and Severus decided to address the reason he had requested that he, Harry and Jen spend the holidays here. "I`m sure you`re wondering why we invited ourselves here?"
Black shrugged "I`m just happy to spend time with Harry, and if I have to have you and your girlfriend present to do that it doesn`t bother me too much".
Severus scowled at the mention at a girlfriend and said "to your information she is my bethrothed, and as I was about to say when Dumbledore withdrew as Headmaster he tasked me with finding something important. Jen here thought that Black might be of help with that, as he has important connections that I lack. It seems like the dark lord may have made Horcruxes, if you know what they are."
The other two didn`t know what that was, and had to have them explained before Severus could continue "Jen knows how to destroy such objects now, but we still don`t know what the Horcruxes may be, and we need help searching. The Headmaster suggested checking any relics of the founders, if you could assist us in this endeavour".
The house elf that had been serving suddenly piped up while wringing its ears violently "excuse me Headmaster Prince, sir. I knows where two such may be".
Severus sat speechless but Black intervened "and where would that be Dobby"?
"My old master, Mr. Malfoy had a small volume in his collection that felt dark. It might not be a Horcrux thingy, but could be? And Kreacher had a small locket that he cherished that also felt dark to Dobby.
"Thank you Dobby, do you think you can fetch the book that Mr. Malfoy had?" Sirius said kindly and the elf popped off, still wringing his ears violently.
"Dobby was sent to me by cousin Narcissa, Kreacher chose to be in her service and in stead she sent me Dobby to assist me in cleaning up my house in Grimmauld place" Sirius explained before bellowing for Kreacher.
