AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Another day, another morning of Severus sitting at the head table, pretending he had no conflicts with anyone in the Gryffindor House. It was unfortunate that as Deputy Headmaster, he needed to take his seat beside Minerva. If he had his way, he would sit on the opposite end of the table, giving her withering glares that would terrify a starving devil's snare. Then again, sitting across the table implied hiding. No, Severus Snape did not run from his problems, nor did he cower in fear of meddling witches. If Minerva expected him to plead to escape his fate, he refused to give her the pleasure. He faced Nagini's fangs with dignity. There was no reason he could not preserve his dignity now.
Hermione hobbled to the seat beside him with the aid of her metal walker. Her left leg had a slight tremor, but her right leg was bearing the weight well. In silence, Severus moved her chair so she could sit to his left. She gave him a nod of thanks before taking her place and allowing him to set her walker against the wall.
"Hermione," Minerva took her place beside Severus. "It is lovely that you were able to join us." She lowered her voice. "You didn't tire yourself out coming here, did you?"
"I assure you I am fine." She sat straighter. "Ibuprofen does a good job of easing the pain."
"Well if you need any help with anything, don't be afraid to ask. We're more than happy to aid you in any way we can."
"I'll keep that in mind," Hermione answered before Neville sat beside her.
"As for you, Severus," Minerva turned her attention to the man beside her. "You have a date on Friday night."
"Excuse me?" Severus spat as the food appeared.
"Yes, I have a woman who is very eager to date you." Minerva put her napkin on her lap. "I think you will enjoy getting to know her. With any luck, you'll realize you are well-suited for each other."
"That was quick," Neville noted.
"I didn't want to waste any time," Minerva gave Severus a pointed look. "Nor give you a chance to try and get out of this."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you owed this woman a debt and tricked me into dating her in order to repay it," Severus snarled as Minerva began eating her scrambled eggs.
"I don't owe anyone anything," her expression remained neutral. "I simply know this woman. You two could be happy together."
"Why do I feel as if I'm about to be executed?"
"Because you're being overly dramatic about this whole thing."
Severus scowled as those around him began to eat.
"Speaking of drama," Neville swallowed his bacon. "Did you hear Samuel got a tenure track university job in America?"
"He did?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, apparently the offer was too good to pass up, so he's leaving us at the end of the year."
"It's unfortunate given that he's only been here for three years."
"Apparently the curse of the Defense Against Dark Arts professor will now only let someone serve for three years instead of one," Severus muttered before taking a bite of scrambled eggs.
"I don't know if the position is cursed," Minerva picked up her cup of tea. "But I am going to send out the call for applicants within the next few weeks."
"Can anyone apply?" Hermione asked.
"Technically yes, though preference will be given to those with experience in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Do you mean the applicant would need a university degree, or could they have any kind of real world experience in Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"That's a good question," Neville piped in. "After the war, most people have some great real world experience without a university degree. You wouldn't want to exclude anyone who would qualify based on their experience."
"I'm open to any kind of experience, provided that person can demonstrate leadership skills, they know how to break curses, defeat the most dangerous of dark creatures, and has the stamina to lead duels."
Hermione's eyes lit up as if she'd just received the highest score possible on her N.E.W.T.S. Minerva took another bite, paying no attention to her younger colleague.
"I'll have to take Samuel out for a drink to tell him goodbye," Neville replied with a slight frown. "It'll be sad to see him go. It's been great to a have a friend to play poker with."
"And here I thought you enjoyed our games," Severus replied.
"I do, but Samuel is more fun to play against because it's easier to discern if he has a good hand."
"He is as expressive as you are."
"I'm not that expressive."
"That's debatable."
"Even if I am expressive, I'm not too far outside the norm."
"You are more expressive than I care to be."
"Few people keep things as hidden as you do. You can occlude, which makes it next to impossible to play with you without losing." Neville's frown deepened. "Not to mention, I'm pretty sure you use legillimency on me."
"Don't be ridiculous. I would be fired for such a violation," Severus argued before his lips curled up. "I only use legilimency on the muggles in Vegas. One look at them and I know whether they have a good hand, or are bluffing."
"I'm not that obvious, am I?"
"You can't stop smiling if you have anything more than three of a kind, and you sweat like mad if you're bluffing."
Neville huffed before returning his attention to his breakfast.
"I for one am happy for Samuel," Hermione cut in. "It is wonderful when someone pursues their dreams."
"I knew when we hired him there was a risk he would leave," Minerva answered."He seemed to have his eyes on bigger prizes than Hogwarts."
"At least you have plenty of notice to find someone new."
"True."
"If you would like, I can be on the search committee," Severus offered. "As someone who has worked in that position, I could help find a worthy candidate."
"I will take that into consideration, though the Board of Directors may still be nervous about you being too close to the situation," Minerva warned.
"We're almost a decade past the war and they still think I am going to give the position to a less than worthy candidate?"
"They're afraid you may have a history with some of the candidates and may disqualify them based on that."
"I assure you, I am the consummate professional, and would never allow a personal vendetta to interfere with my judgment."
"I know you are capable of neutrality, but the donors are the donors."
"And we can't very well annoy them with someone who knows what they're doing, can we?" He muttered.
"Apparently not," Hermione took a sip of her tea.
"The other issue is that Lucius Malfoy is the chairman of the board. The last thing anyone wants is for it to appear that he's been manipulating the process from the beginning," Minerva answered.
"Lucius has ways of manipulating events with or without me," Severus argued.
"Trust me," she muttered. "I know."
"Well, I'm sure Severus will find some other way to be helpful," Hermione cut in.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence," he answered.
"I wouldn't worry too much, Severus. You will be busy on your blind dates, assuming you do not decide to begin a romantic relationship with the women you will meet on Friday," Minerva took a bite of her toast.
"You are dedicated to destroying any interest I could possibly have in having any kind of romantic relationship, aren't you?" Severus scowled.
"No, I am dedicated to helping you find happiness," she answered.
"I am happiest alone."
"Some people do appreciate their solitude…" Hermione began.
"I know it may seem as if I am being overly meddlesome," Minerva interrupted, her full attention on Severus. "But please understand, I am trying to do what is best for you."
"Because apparently my life is so pathetic you cannot help but pity me," he grumbled.
"Because you deserve to be happy and not to scowl at students all the time."
"Is this about my romantic life, or have parents been complaining about me again?"
"Actually the complaints about your methods were down from two years ago, which I appreciate."
"But they are still too high for your liking."
"One complaint is too high for my liking."
He glared at her. "So bringing me on blind dates against my will is supposed to improve my mood and my teaching methods?"
"Being with someone who brings out the best in you, yet loves you at your worst will improve your mood," Minerva replied.
"Somehow I doubt that," Severus argued.
"Actually it does work," Neville cut in with one of the widest grins he'd seen. "Ever since I met Edwina things have been wonderful for me. She inspires me to be a better gardener by just being there for me."
Severus looked at Hermione, hoping for any kind of support.
"I am glad for those who find that special someone, but some of us can make it on our own," she replied. "As someone who values her independence, I can understand Severus' side. Everyone should know how to live on their own anyway."
Severus relaxed.
"Personally, I think you could use a little less independence. You try to do everything on your own and wonder why you get hurt," Minerva argued.
"Admittedly I do push myself too hard sometimes, but I'm better about knowing my own body than I was a few years ago. It's been some time since I've injured myself too seriously," Hermione argued.
"Let's hope it remains that way." Minerva stood as the students began to shuffle out. "In the meantime, let's get on with our day."
Severus grabbed Hermione's walker and pushed it over to her. With a small smile, she got out of her chair and leaned on it. She replied, "Thank you."
"Do not mention it," he answered. "The last thing I need is Minerva saying that I lack any kind of empathy, and a good woman will help me empathize with others."
"You have plenty of empathy." She began limping from the Great Hall. "It's getting you to show it that's the difficult thing."
"I believe in not being taken advantage of. The less kindness shown, the less likely that is to happen."
"I do think showing kindness is necessary for happiness, but I cannot argue that one does need to guard themselves."
"Indeed."
Neville watched as they strolled away, wondering if Minerva could seen what he was observing. If not, what would he need to do to help her see Severus' best chance of romance may be right beside him?