AN: Thank you all so much for the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
"What do you mean you won't let Hermione demonstrate her spells and progress in the interview process?"
Minerva pursed her lips together. This matter had already been discussed with Hermione. Last night she had come to the headmistress' office and made the case that she should progress to an interview. Although Hermione had been disappointed with the "no," Minerva thought the matter had been settled. Never did Minerva think that Hermione would enlist Severus to join the battle. Unless she didn't and he came himself.
No, inserting himself in the middle of a job search was too altruistic for him. There was nothing in it for him if Hermione was hired, so why would he care? Perhaps she was bribing him, or had some type of blackmail on him. Did he lose a bet with her too?
"The spells she is proposing are brilliant," he continued, his voice crescendoing. "You need to watch a demonstration of them before you turn her away."
Minerva considered scolding him for talking so loudly. The last thing she needed was for him to wake up the headmasters' portraits. Albus was more ornery than usual when disturbed at this hour.
She took a deep breath and rubbed her temples. "I will admit that Hermione's theories and proposals are intriguing. If we were at a university I would suggest she publish a paper on them. Merlin knows what one could do with a cane that can extend its length and repel spells."
"Then why won't you change your mind and give her an interview?"
"Because rules are rules," she answered in an even tone. "I've already tossed out Hermione's application, so she cannot progress."
"Then retrieve it, or ask her for a new one."
"That would be against the rules."
"What rules? These ridiculous rules didn't exist when I was a headmaster."
"I created them during my second year as headmistress. I wanted to make the application process as fair to all candidate as possible. Thus, once an application is thrown out, they will no longer be considered, impressive theories or not."
"You made the rule. You can change it."
"The rules are in place for a good reason, namely to prevent a situation which would cause me to become biased towards one candidate or another."
"Impartiality during this process is a load of bullocks and you know it," Severus argued. "You cannot tell me you are unfamiliar with the other candidates' work, or that you haven't had any of them at the time they were a student."
"Admittedly, some did fight in the war, and others were former students. Many belong to both categories."
"And after teaching them for such a long period of time, you are bound to have more than a few opinions on them."
Minerva bit his tongue, unwilling to concede his point.
"Then there's how binding these rules truly are. Are any of these rules in writing?" He asked.
"No."
"Then why not change them if nobody will be any wiser?"
"Because I'm trying to give everyone a chance to succeed based on their own merit, not on whether or not a colleague is willing to come and plead their case."
"Hermione's work does have merit." He made a fist. "It is downright revolutionary. You cannot ignore her work in favor of some arbitrary rule which only exists in your head."
"I will admit the walker and wheelchair spells are intriguing, and the idea of a flying Defense Against Dark Arts professor is fascinating."
"Then why not admit present circumstances have forced you to reevaluate your initial determination?"
"Because right now, Hermione doesn't have the mobility necessary for this job."
"That is an issue we are resolving."
"But it isn't resolved."
He crossed his arms over his chest.
"By your and Hermione's own admissions, she hasn't so much as floated a centimeter off the ground," Minerva argued. "You are asking me to hire her based on a huge 'we hope she can do it someday.'"
"Fine, she hasn't flown yet, but that doesn't change the spells she has created. If you could see how those spells work, you'd understand how revolutionary they are."
"I agree they will be a great contribution to the Wizarding World. Still, that has little effect on the hiring process."
"Could you not watch her demonstration in the name of seeing the kinds of activities your professors are involved in?" He asked.
"If that was the motive I would," she answered. "But we both know that is not the motive for doing this."
"Fine, then interview her based on the strength of her war experience, knowing the demonstration is coming during the hiring process."
She shook her head. It was just her luck to get into the crosshairs of the two most stubborn people in Hogwarts. If she didn't end this conversation now, she would be so busy arguing with Severus that she wouldn't have time to look at the resumes of the current candidates. That task had already been put off for too long. It couldn't be dragged out any longer, especially if the reason was that two of her employees were too stubborn to face reality.
"You can ask her about the spells during the interview. Then, you could at least hear about them," he argued.
"I could read about them from a publication too. Hermione can still do that, can she not?" she replied.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"If she gets those spells published I am more than happy to read of them and celebrate her accomplishments. We could celebrate them as a staff, including the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"First, you will not entertain the spells because you don't watch demonstrations. Now you will not observe them because she isn't published?" He asked.
"Reading a publication is different than watching a demonstration," Minerva argued. "I can read a publication in the name of broadening my horizons, not in the name of giving a candidate an unfair advantage."
Severus exhaled and shook his head.
"I understand that you have struck up a friendship with Hermione these last few years, and for that I am grateful. You both need a good friend," Minerva began.
"But you wish I would mind my own business when it comes to her and this job search."
"You must admit that you do not tend to become this passionate about anyone else's career, including your own."
"That's because I do not know anyone else who is being denied an unfair advancement."
She sighed.
"What is it going to take to give Hermione a chance?" He demanded.
"Can she fly yet?"
"Give her time and she can."
"Can she maneuver quickly while on the ground?"
"She can move much more quickly than one would expect."
Minerva furrowed her eyebrows.
"Is this about protecting Hermione from a stray spell?" Severus asked.
"Amongst other things."
"What other things?"
"We both know she has difficulties performing certain tasks due to her leg. These difficulties could interfere with her ability to do her job. Even she acknowledges that."
Severus scowled. "She will be fine teaching the course."
"Are you certain of that?" Minerva asked.
"If I wasn't I wouldn't be here."
"With all due respect, you had no interest in Hermione's well-being until after she was hired, meaning you are not aware of everything she has been through," She sat up straighter.
"Are you saying I cannot comprehend the needs of my friends?"
"I'm saying you don't fully understand Hermione's situation," she replied. "You did not see the kind of pain and agony those treatments caused her, nor did you see how crushed she was that every opportunity to walk again slipped through her hands."
"You're right, and did not see her journey to accepting her disability," he admitted. "But I am watching this opportunity slip through her hands. I will not sit idly by and allow it to happen."
Minerva put her head into her hands as she recalled the tears in Hermione's eye from another experimental treatment doomed to failure. The poor girl was struggling to breathe from all the pain. Her leg was spasming so hard she couldn't eat. How could she allow Hermione to become that injured again?
"She deserves this chance," Severus argued.
"I will admit her solutions sound intriguing," Minerva looked up. "Still, you're both making promises you cannot keep. I mean, you're promising me she'll be a proficient flyer by this time next year. How could you possibly keep that promise?"
"Flyer," Severus scratched the table. The rage in his eyes was dissipated by the threat of a scheme. "She can fly, but she isn't the only one."
Minerva did not hear the last sentence. "Yes, flying may prove too much. I can't interview someone based on potential…"
"I'll make you one more bet."
"Bet?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," His lips curled up. "Slytherin plays Ravenclaw tomorrow, do they not?"
"I fail to see how this is relevant."
"If Slytherin beats Ravenclaw, then you must interview Hermione."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me," he continued. "These bets mean so much to you, why not make another one? If Slytherin beats Ravenclaw, then Hermione gets an interview."
"And if they lose?" She drawled.
"Then I go on one blind date a week or however many you would like me to go on."
"Severus, I hardly think that deciding a job based on gambling is appropriate."
"It's inappropriate to parade women around a man unwilling to date, yet you have no qualms about that."
"I'm trying to make you happy."
"And I'm trying to make Hermione happy."
"Since when did you care about making anyone happy?"
"Since I realized your ridiculous need to interfere in everyone's life was harming her," he argued.
"Asking her for a job interview isn't interfering in her life?" She drawled.
"I prefer to call it giving a strong recommendation to act in her best interests," he replied.
"In other words, you've been around Lucius for too long."
Severus gave her a half grin. "His methods are effective, are they not?"
"More effective than they should be."
Severus' smirk grew.
"Thinking back to the bet," she scratched the table. "There is no set limit on how many people I can interview. My personal preference is nine, but that policy is not in writing. I wouldn't need to deny anyone I've chosen a chance at an interview in order to accommodate Hermione, should I lose."
"Exactly."
"Also, there are a few women who will become busier over the holidays who are dying for a chance to go on a blind date with you, though Merlin only knows why."
"My reputation for a charming personality precedes me."
"It does something anyway." She extended her hand. "Fine, I will accept your bet."
"Good," he took her hand and shook it.
"I am curious why you're willing to go such lengths for Hermione," She released his hand. "It isn't like you to risk sacrificing anything for anyone else, at least not after what happened to Albus."
"Let's just say I became infamous for not standing up for one of my Gryffindor friends," regret clouded his eyes. "I refuse to make that mistake again."
"So you do," Minerva noted.
"I must take my leave," Severus stood. "Thank you for seeing reason."
"I haven't scheduled anything yet," she answered. "There's time for Slytherin to lose."
"But they will not," he glided out of the room.
Minerva leaned back in the chair and glanced up.
Severus Snape was an odd man. How could someone so aloof be so loyal to one woman? True, he'd been obsessive over Lily. Still, that was due to guilt. What could be drawing him towards Hermione? Did even he understand this need to support her even at the cost of his own sanity?
Would anyone ever understand Severus Snape?
Deciding deciphering Severus' motives was futile at best, maddening at worse, she pulled out a parchment and began to write. Just because she agreed to his bet didn't mean she couldn't have some fun of her own.