On Friday, at the end of the first week, Snape requested Hunter to meet in his office, as she had expected. Having spent nearly every night for the past two weeks drawing up her research proposal, she was exhausted and not feeling up to her best, but nonetheless reported once her afternoon class had finished their concocting of the Slimanua potion. This was a difficult potion to make. If any of a properly prepared finished product got on the student's hands, sealing the vial, carrying it to the professor and then cleaning up would be all but impossible, owing to the oily, unremovable slickness of the hands. Removal required time, perseverance, and a counterpotion, to be made on Monday. At least two students would probably need to be fed by friends this weekend and probably never change clothes. The possible error in this lesson plan had only occurred to her now. Perhaps next year she'd have them make the counterpotion first? Or maybe just on a Monday and Tuesday? If there was a next year.
The Headmaster greeted her formally, as usual, rising and gesturing to the chair opposite his large desk. "Good afternoon, Dr. Hunter. Please, sit down." As she did so, she was surprised to see a small house-elf seated at a smaller desk to the right of Snape, with a scroll of clean parchment, an inkwell, and a quill in her hand.
Noticing her gaze, Snape said simply "This is Bina, my chief scribe. Bina, this is Dr. Morgan Hunter, our new Potions Mistress." Bina bowed deeply, but didn't rise. Instead, she began to write.
"Now, Dr. Hunter, I have my research proposal drawn up," he now gestured to a long scroll near her on the desk, which she picked up.
"I also have mine, Headmaster," she replied, drawing her much shorter scroll from a pocket in her robe, a deep forest green today.
They each read the other's proposal in silence as Bina waited wordlessly.
Morgan was impressed with Snape's proposal. He wanted to explore both simplifying some potions substituting New World substances for Old World ones, as well as both amplifying or tempering others by modifications to formulas, technique, or vessel. The complexity of the array of experiments bespoke of a methodical approach, one that required patience, planning, and perseverance. But all of the hypotheses were brilliant, based on detailed research. The bibliography of citations was in the hundreds. The Hogwarts library must be impressive; she would need to become more familiar with it. Soon. Maybe this weekend.
By comparison, she was now a little embarrassed. She had not been quite so detailed, though she had somewhat similar ideas. She wanted to explore the mixture of old and new, but had, naturally, started with New World formulas and proposed modifications with Old World ingredients. She had hoped to attenuate some of the more deadly potions to merely injurious or painful, as well as to increase their stability and shelf-life. Her bibliography was non-existent. She hadn't been quite so formal as to cite sources, given that the review committee would be of one, and a peer at that.
Snape read her proposal quickly and appreciated what he was reading. Her overall idea was similar to his own, a good sign and obviously a tribute to her excellent mind, but with different potions and different objectives. As he read, he considered how likely the experiments were to actually work and found that they had a sound basis in fact, though her lack of citations was annoying. When it came time to publish, these would be tedious to retrieve. But as he continued to read, he became immersed in the contemplation of the results, the process of the formulations, and the sets of tests. As he reached the end, it occurred to him how unusual, actually unprecedented, it was for him to read a research proposal from a potential collaborator. Like Hunter, he, too, was accustomed to working alone, having neither peers nor the desire for one for these long years. A colleague would only have added risk to his previously perilous situation.
Perhaps, given the changes in his situation, a colleague would be a worthy step towards living what others might consider a "normal" life, this life after Voldemort. Having never done so before, other than a few glimpses as a younger student, he had little frame of reference. He considered who would it be that he might inquire as to how one goes about living a "normal" life. His colleagues here had put his past deeds into context, but there was an air of tension between regardless.
Minerva? Too professionally close as his Deputy Headmaster. Flitwick? Yes, the man had skills; that was not in question. But Snape's general disregard for "foolish wand-waving" had likely damaged that relationship. Hagrid? Preposterous. Sinistra? Possibly. Her temperament was well-matched to his, and yet she seemed to be able to relate to others. It was rumored she was dating someone from outside the Hogwarts/Hogsmead sphere, but no one knew who. He had a difficult time imagining who would be attracted to the stern, frosty astronomer, despite her looks.
Vector? His approach was to make every conversation a battle of intellect and while Snape was certain that he would win, he found it likely to not serve his purpose. Pomfrey? He had spent enough time with her and would rather avoid more, if possible. Sprout? It was difficult for him to be in her presence long without noticing the deep scent of soil on her. Trelawney? Merlin's Beard, no. But then again, they had some shared experience now. She probably was the single person in the school who had any insight beyond his exterior. Possibly. He might consult her on some matter of the vision and ask if she'd had more. Perhaps.
Hunter had stopped reading before Snape and now waited patiently for him to finish. Once he reached the end of her scroll, she began.
"We seem to have some similar ideas, though with different intentions to the modifications. I appreciated the amount of research you've done into New World ingredients, clearly the Hogwarts library is up to date. I suggest that we begin with a potion from the New World as my proposal lays out, then see if Old World ingredients can improve upon it."
Snape cut her off. "Let's begin with the traditional formula, the Old World formula, as you call it, and see if anything from the New World can or cannot improve upon it. It's best to start from something reliable…"
At this, Hunter scoffed. "Reliable? I hope you aren't implying that New World formulas aren't reliable."
"Of course not, only that the traditional formulas have been more time-tested and are seen as the standard in the opinion of the potions community. So let's begin there and…"
Hunter stood and pointed to her scroll. "Maybe your community, but the New World community puts plenty of confidence in our own formulas. They are typically simpler and equally, if not more, effective."
It was Snape's turn to scoff. "Simpler does not imply better. It only degrades the appreciation for the art of potion making, thinking that any fool who can read could make a reliable potion. The very complexity of the Old World formulas gives them their power…"
What began as a debate between collaborators became heated. Snape continued to hold the position that the Old World formulas should be seen as the standard to which improvements might be measured, and Hunter taking the opposite position, that the simplicity of New World potions made them superior. While voices were not raised, no compromise was evident.
"If this is collaboration, I favor working alone," Snape thought, his head in his hands. "Attempts at talking sense into her are futile."
"Good grief," Hunter thought, pacing in frustration. "He's inflexible, stuck in the old ways. But I'll never get a decent publication in a year's time at this rate if I have to work alone." She was ready to give in.
"Perhaps I could make a suggestion?"
Both Snape and Hunter jumped at this interruption. The small scribe had long since stopped taking notes, once the arguments had become repetitive.
Snape had had enough. "Silence, Bina!" he barked at her. She cowered and bowed deeply. "S-s-s-s-orry, Headmaster. I can leave, if you prefer…" she said in a tiny voice, hiding behind a parchment.
Snape was about to dismiss her when Hunter held up her hand. "No, please, what is your idea?" she said.
Bina looked to the Headmaster for permission to speak. Snape narrowed his eyes, but gave a small nod, suggesting that she might proceed, but with caution. She lowered the parchment enough to uncover her mouth, but remained crouched behind her tiny writing desk.
"Maybe you could take two potions that are meant to do the same thing, one Old World and one New World, and take equal parts of each and see if you can make it better with the best of each." Bina appeared to have exhausted herself at uttering these words, and put her head down on the desk, hiding her eyes beneath her large ears.
Snape and Hunter looked at one another in silence. For once, Hunter opted to give a little ground and allow Snape to have the floor. It was his office and he was the Headmaster, she reasoned.
At last, Snape spoke. "Brilliant, Bina. Dr. Hunter, is this plan acceptable to you?" he said, turning to her and gesturing that she might sit down.
Realizing that she had been standing and arguing a bit forcefully, she sat down quickly. "Yes, an excellent plan." She turned to the elf, who was just now brave enough to raise her eyes slightly. "That's an excellent suggestion, Bina. Thank you." House elves knew something about listening and solving problems, that much was clear.
She turned back to Snape. "So, let's find two potions that are intended to have similar effects, then modify in an array to see if we can arrive at a single, optimal formulation. Let's see, what should we start with? How about Veritaserum? That's always useful, but takes too long to make if it's needed on the spot."
"Sometimes there is value in potion-making taking time," Snape said with a slight smile. "But, perhaps we could start with that."
Hunter was relieved that they were starting to make some progress. "Once we get the hang of doing the arrays from the first set of formulations, we can probably have the students help with some of the more tedious aspects of the set-up and execution, and have the Advanced and independent study students take on some more complex ones." Bina was once again writing furiously at this point, as Dr. Hunter surged ahead, speaking in a kind of stream of consciousness, rarely taking a breath. "Finding an easier Veritaserum would be helpful. And a less dangerous sleeping potion, as well. An antidote for Jellybone, or a good scorpion venom antidote. And we would be instantly famous if we could come up with a fool-proof snake-bite antiserum…"
"Indeed, there are so many fools who get bitten by snakes…" Snape inserted, once Hunter took a much needed breath. Now brought back to the current moment, she halted and glanced up. She hadn't realized for how long she'd been speaking.
"Sorry," she began. "I get so many ideas, sometimes it is a challenge just to decide where to begin." She leaned forward with her hands on the desk, her voice rising, her words tumbling out at a rush. "Imagine all that we can accomplish, combining the best of the Old World and the New, Professor Snape. This is an opportunity to really bring the art of potions out of the 18th century and into the future. And the students will get such excellent experience." She nearly grasped his hand in her excitement at the vision, but managed to restrain herself at the last moment.
She stopped again, realizing again that she was talking too much and dominating the conversation. Snape only smiled indulgently, which further aggravated her.
"Yours is an ambitious vision. Are you certain you shouldn't have been sorted into Slytherin? Perhaps not, though, clever Ravenclaw." Here, he paused. "While I am in agreement with your general approach, using students would be fool-hardy, I'm afraid. It would likely be a waste of valuable ingredients, as well as a loss of valuable time, of which we have very little." Hearing this, a small stab went through her heart. She didn't want to think about her time limitations. She would have to continue to work on that notion.
"With the right instruction and supervision, the students could be helpful, as well as learning a great deal about the nature of research. Especially the older students. I find once they understand the theory behind the ingredients and processes, their appreciation of potions multiplies. And nothing moves learning forward than by making a few mistakes." She was doing it again, getting excited. She hadn't felt like this in years, inspired. And slightly panicked, thinking about having only one year, but really about 10 months, to show an accomplishment so impressive, she might be asked to stay. She couldn't go back to the Sedona school, but she didn't need a reputation as a person who now couldn't hold down a job. There were other schools, of course, but she would rather stay put. Stability was key to successful research and publications. Moving would be a distraction she didn't want. And at most schools, she wouldn't have a colleague in Potions. Maybe the Healers at the school or a nearby hospital, sometimes a Potion-maker with a shop, but they rarely had the time and drive to do the real work of research. No, she needed to stay here. And she needed students to help, to get a real volume of research done. She needed more time.
"Making mistakes can, indeed, be instructive," Snape said enigmatically. He put his steepled fingers to his lips as he considered her notion. Students. Picturing himself overseeing a roomful of dingbats fouling up an array of potions gave him a twinge of indigestion. But it would be interesting to see Dr. Hunter executing this plan. "We will require a great deal more of all components, should students be involved. Some of your New World ingredients may be difficult to obtain, given the paperwork involved in the importation of foreign ingredients."
"Not at all, Professor, not at all. I've brought along plenty of everything. You've seen my lab, after all."
Indeed, he had. He initially hadn't understood why she brought so much along for a one-year appointment, but it was becoming clearer by the moment. Despite his stocking over the summer, this would be beyond his own supplies.
"Now that we've agreed on one formula to begin with and lay out the specifics of the design, then assess the student schedules. I will assign detentions, if extra labor is needed."
At this, she laughed, though he did not. She wondered if he were serious.
They spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening drawing up the plans, having dinner sent up to the Headmaster's office as they sketched out tables of different formulas, different techniques, and different vessels. Bina copied down what they wrote, then recopied when they made changes. Snape remained seated as Dr. Hunter chased ideas, wrote them on the blackboard, erased them, asked him a few questions, and refined the plans. This was more like what he pictured collaboration might be like, he thought, but it will probably become painful once the actual work needed to get done. Those with lots of ideas rarely had the patience and stamina to complete the actual work. Though she had published plenty.
As they drew up their schedule, Snape said "Add a visit to the Forbidden Forest on the night of the autumnal equinox to re-stock supplies. By then, we will need them and many will be at their most potent then." This year, the full moon coincided with the equinox, making it a particularly favorable time.
"Yes," said Hunter. "And on this weekend," she pointed to one in mid-September, "I'll either need to find a skilled student to replace me, or we'll need to find a stopping point. I'll be away at a speaking engagement at Beauxbatons. What days will you be out, Professor Snape?" she said, ready to mark out the days.
Snape's voice had regained its chilly tone. "A speaking engagement? I wasn't aware of this, Dr. Hunter. I would ask that permission be asked before you accept invitations that might overlap with your teaching duties."
Hunter realized her mistake and quickly back-pedaled. "Of course, yes, of course," she said. "I haven't actually accepted the invitation yet, I only just received it earlier this week. I was hoping that I could get both your permission, as well as your help covering my afternoon Friday lab on that date, as they are asking me to speak that evening." Her color was rising, she could feel the heat in her neck and ears. Now she was managing to foul up what she had hoped would be the start of a rich professional research relationship, but now she felt like she was a student in the principal's office getting a talking-to.
Snape continued to meet her gaze for a little too long before consulting with the elf. "Bina," he said too sharply. "Does my schedule permit me to teach on that Friday afternoon?"
"You're in luck, Headmaster," said Bina. "Your day is free then." Snape did not consider this especially lucky, as it would mean he would be teaching 3rd year students, as task he was pleased to have delegated to Dr. Hunter.
"It is Dr. Hunter who is in luck," he said. "Permission granted, then." Gesturing back to the blackboard he asked "Are there any other speaking engagements or travel plans that you have for the fall term?"
"Not yet, but I do anticipate several more to come from Durmstrang, Borealis, the Ministry of Magic here. It is well-known that I am here at Hogwarts, and I know a few friends who had planned invitations once I got more settled in. I'll be sure to run them by you, as well," she added hurriedly. "Thank you. Now, let's add your travel times, so I'll know when to not schedule any of my time."
"I have no travel times," Snape said simply.
"None? No Ministry visits, Board of Directors presentations, no conferences?"
"No."
Her mouth pressed ahead before her mind caught up to the fact that this seemed like a discussion he did not want to get into. "Really, I'm very surprised. The principal at the Sedona School was traveling so much, the Assistant Principal was just about the only school leader we actually saw."
"I can't afford to be away from the school," he said, then stood up, clearly indicating the meeting was at an end. "Bina, if you'll please record the blackboard notes and the discussion. Dr. Hunter, we can meet again on Monday to review Bina's notes, then recruit or detain students as necessary to start taking the inventories. That simple task should be difficult for them to blunder," he said harshly. "Good evening to you."
She bade him good evening, as well, then found herself alone in the corridor outside the Headmaster's office more quickly than she liked. It felt as though she'd been kicked out. But it was late. She made her way back to the Ravenclaw tower and her apartment and went straight to bed. Despite her exhaustion at the end of a difficult week, she found her head spinning with ideas and plans. And her enigmatic colleague. She could see why students were afraid of him, but found herself more pleased with the prospect of a professional partner than worried about his temperament. She'd worked with difficult people before. She hadn't gotten to the top of the Potions community by snapping under pressure. Well, that wasn't entirely true. She had gotten to the top, then snapped. She wondered where she was now, "in the Potions community." Her publication stream had stalled, but looked to pick back up. And the circumstances of her departure from Sedona weren't widely know, it seemed.
Well, that was behind her now. The past. An ocean away, literally. Time to separate from that and begin a new life, establish a new normal, whatever that might be. As she drifted off to unconsciousness, her thoughts turned away from Sedona with relief and towards her new research, her new plans. And her new colleague.