AN: There's a decent chance I won't post next week. Next Tuesday is the 4th of July, which is a huge deal for my family. On Thursday, I'll be out of town on vacation. If I don't post next week, have a Happy 4th of July if you celebrate it, and have a great and safe week regardless!
Thank you for all the support and for being such great readers! It is very deeply appreciated!
It was nice to dine to the Leaky Cauldron when not on a date. Perhaps he didn't know the exact reason his presence had been requested at the tavern, but he knew it wasn't to subject himself to more humiliation. For that reason alone, he was optimistic his evening would not be completely unpleasant.
Sitting, beside Severus, Neville fiddled with a napkin. There were few people in the bar for a Monday. Perhaps the first frost of the season had encouraged most potential patrons to stay inside. All the better to converse with the one who had invited him, even if he wasn't sure what the topic of conversation would be.
"Don't tell me Neville is your blind date."
Severus glanced up and gave Rosmerta a smirk. "Whoever would he not be? Neville is the man of my dreams."
He looked up at them.
"Exploding cauldrons and dunderheaded potions essays have always piqued my interest." Severus continued. "I find him irresistible."
"I'm only glad he picked up on my attraction to him." Neville smirked. "I do like a man I've seen in women's lingerie."
Rosmerta cocked her head.
"It's a long story," Severus replied, now frowning.
"I'm not sure I want to know it," she answered.
"No, you do not."
Neville chuckled. "It's quite funny actually."
"Only if you didn't hear Lupin bragging about it in the faculty lounge."
"Lupin saw this?" Rosmerta shook her head. "Now I know I don't want to hear the story."
"Trust me, it's for the best," Severus replied.
"Sorry I'm late."
Everyone turned to the newcomer. Hermione approached, using her walker to get across the bar. Judging from her gait, her leg was giving her minimal problems. One only hope that continued given that rain was expected that night.
"I had a student who wanted to stay for office hours," she continued. "He was having quite a difficult time writing an essay explaining how to boil an egg. It took longer to direct him to the proper resources than I had thought it would be."
"In his defense, boiling eggs is a task I struggle with, whether I do it the muggle way or not," Severus admitted.
"It's not too difficult," Hermione took a seat across from the men. "I can show you how to do it sometime."
"Perhaps, though I would like to think we could spend our time more productively than on muggle culinary methods."
"Agreed, especially when you hear how busy my news will keep us."
"What news?" Neville asked.
"Whatever it is, I think it will go over better if you all have drinks," Rosmerta chimed in as she pulled out a quill and pad.
"Agreed," Hermione folded her hands. "I'd like a butterbeer."
"I'll take a pumpkin beer," Neville replied.
"A firewhiskey for me," Severus answered.
Rosmerta wrote down the orders and darted to the bar.
"What is your news?" Neville asked.
She gestured for them to come closer. Severus and Neville leaned towards her. In a soft voice, she began, "I'm going to apply for the Defense Against Dark Arts position."
"Excuse me?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"I'm going to apply for the Defense Against Dark Arts position." She said louder. Then, she broke apart from them. Neville and Severus leaned back and glanced at each other.
"What do you think?" Her expression was that of someone who had just won the lifetime achievement award in Potions.
Severus first looked at her. Then, his eyes to trailed to her walker. Images of needing quick reflexes to divert wayward spells flashed in his mind. There were the magical creatures which needed to be corralled at a moment's notice. When he'd taught the course, he'd believed he was a fit man. Yet, every night he felt as if he'd received a strenuous workout. Now, he stuck with potions because he didn't want the physical exertion.
Had Hermione planned for what it would take to perform her job?
"It's uh, sudden," Neville swallowed before looking at her walker. "Yes, it's all very sudden."
Severus kept his eyes on the assistive device, still remembering how quickly he had to move to contain a boggart. He struggled to do it as someone with two functioning legs. It was difficult to imagine him doing it with only one.
"Severus?" She asked, her voice softer.
He turned his attention to her. The light in her eyes had died.
"What are you thinking?" She asked just above a whisper.
"I was wondering what brought this career change on," he answered.
"I'm not happy teaching Muggle Studies," she began. "It isn't challenging for me to discuss behaviors and devices I already know everything about. Students don't always see the value in my course, and many are unmotivated."
"That occurs in every class," Severus warned. "I face the problem of apathy every day in potions."
"But did you face it in DADA?"
"Admittedly no, but there was a war, so there was little need to sell the course as anything other than a means of survival."
"Yes, and I do sell Muggle Studies in the name of tolerance. Still, I am bored with it," she slumped. "I want to be challenged intellectually. When I make a new discovery, I want it to be because I'd done extensive research into the topic, not because I visited my parents' house."
"I know," Severus answered, a pang of sympathy in his chest. "And Muggle Studies must be dull for someone of your intellect."
"It is."
"Still, it is vital to have a muggleborn perspective, someone from the inside who can discuss these issues. It means something different coming from you than it would be from a pureblood."
"Yes, I know I have a unique perspective, and I appreciate that fact," she admitted. "Still, who are you more likely to read an academic article from someone who has an advanced degree in Muggle Studies who works in a university, or someone without any kind of degree who happens to be born into that culture?"
Severus hummed. People did read his works. Yet he'd proven his genius through his discoveries, and had the coveted university degree. People without that diploma struggled to get asked to participate in research projects, much less get published. Anyone academically inclined would jump for the chance to have their research known, and to participate in research they found valuable.
"I fought in a war," she began. "I co-founded Dumbledore's Army. I made hexes and spells which people use today."
"Like 'SNEAK?'" Neville asked.
"Yes," Hermione's lips curled up. "That is still one of the spells I'm most proud of."
"It was effective," Neville laughed. "We knew right away who betrayed us."
"Yes, and I'll bet Marietta thought twice about betraying anyone ever again."
"Last I heard she vanished without a trace."
"Let's hope she's never heard from again."
Severus scratched his chin, wondering if he should concede that the spell was effective and ingenious for a fifth year.
"I invented that as a fifteen year old. Since then, I've fought in battles, solved riddles, and saved Harry's life more times than anyone can count. There are other ideas I have for defensive spells, ones I'd love to apply if I had the chance," she argued.
"Defense Agains the Dark Arts is about much more than intellectual ideas," Severus noted as his eyes returned to her walker.
"I know, but I know if I had the chance, I know I would be able to handle the physical exertion," she argued.
"How?" He locked eyes with her. "What is your plan for when it rains and you cannot move without your wheelchair?"
"I will use Ibuprofen and hope for the best."
"That is only effective on days when your leg cooperates, which is not always the case."
"Yes, but I'll work out the details later. Right now, I want to apply for the position."
"I suppose it never hurts to apply," Severus mused aloud. "If your leg was having problems you could have the students write papers, or could have someone help you on days when there would be intense dueling."
"See, this could work."
"Someone who's fought in the war as you have wouldn't need a university degree," Neville began. "You've saved Harry more times than any of us can count."
"Yes, he would've died as a first year without you," Severus answered.
"And you were excellent at leading Dumbledore's Army. Then there's the way you took on Death Eaters. I mean," Neville took a deep breath. "There's nobody more qualified than you."
"Exactly," she answered.
"There are accommodations which can be made," Severus replied. "If they arranged classes a certain way, I could have breaks when you teach the upper levels dueling. If you were not feeling well, you could call upon me and I could assist you in whatever way I could."
"I could do the same," Neville offered.
"So you'll agree to be my references?"
Before the men could answer, Rosmerta appeared with their drinks. After muttered their thanks and receiving them, they returned their attention to Hermione.
"So, will you be my references?" She asked again.
"I will," Neville answered.
She turned to Severus.
"Despite my ex-Death Eater status, my recommendation will carry much weight, especially considering Lucius' position in the whole ordeal. That is why I must be selective in who I recommend."
"I know," she replied, her voice softer.
His lips curled upwards. "Which is why I would be honored to recommend you."
"You would be?" Her eyes glistened.
"Indeed," Severus replied. "I am confident that whatever issues you may face, you can work around them. Somehow, we will make this work, assuming you get the job."
"Oh thank you!" She clasped her hands together and beamed. "I could hug both of you right now."
"Don't do anything so foolish," Severus scowled. "I would not want anyone to think I was capable of any frivolities such as making friends or showing affection."
"I suppose your scowling facade must be kept up at all costs."
"It is not a facade, I assure you," he turned to Neville. "He can tell you how terrifying I can be. I remain his boggart after all"
"Actually my current boggart is a bottle of weed killer," Neville answered.
"A weed killer?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm doing some amazing work on the magical properties of dandelions and milk weeds. I don't want those disrupted by some overeager gardener who thinks I should maintain a pristine lawn at all costs."
"I can understand the sentiment, though it does feel disheartening to be replaced with weed killer."
"I do apologize. I'm sure someday you'll be someone else's boggart."
"I can only hope." Severus took a sip of his firewhiskey.
"Fine," Hermione cut in. "We will not embrace now, but when we get back to the castle, could I hug you then?"
"Only if you want me to explain to Minerva that you are a horrendous judge of character," Severus warned.
Hermione laughed. "I'm an excellent character. You just have a low opinion of yourself."
"I am a realist. I am well aware of my strengths. Social skills and compassion are not two of them."
"Keep telling yourself that. I believe you are an amazing friend. Under the right circumstances, you have decent social skills and are compassionate."
"You are a naive Gryffidnor."
"And you are a Slytherin who is selective as to who becomes close to him."
"Now there is an accurate assessment."
Hermione laughed again.
"Out of curiosity," Neville interrupted. "Who is your third reference?"
"Harry."
"Of course he is," Severus muttered.
"What is wrong with him? He's the second in command of the Auror Department. He's a perfect reference," Hermione replied.
"And if anyone knows how much you've done for the Wizarding World, it's Harry," Neville noted.
"Very true," Severus conceded.
"Great, now that I have my reference I can turn my papers into Minerva and wait for the next steps," Hermione raised her glass. "To us."
"To us!" Neville raised his glass.
"Cheers," Severus raised his as well.
The glasses clinked together, signaling the beginning of a project Severus hoped would be fruitful, despite his lingering doubts.