Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the characters.

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Chapter 2 If You Insist

When Hermione arrived at the staff room, it was already full of people. She could recognise most of the professors, given that she literally took every single course available at Hogwarts in her third year. Professors did not change much, except the cursed DADA professors. Other than professors, there were some Order of the Phoenix members and possibly officials from the Ministry. She seemed to be the youngest of them all.

Her entry did not go unnoticed. Some arched their eyebrows. But before anyone could comment anything, Minerva rose and the room went silent.
Hermione quickly moved next to the Charms Master, who kindly waved her over.

"Thank you everyone for joining the meeting. The Ministry would like to reopen the school in September, so that we are not delaying another year of education for our next generation, and as a symbol that our lives are back to normal." Minerva calmly stated.

"Our timeline is tight, while the reconstruction is of large scale. So, today we will need to devise a plan to make it work." Then, she welcomed suggestions.

The room began to fill with heated discussions. Luckily, before the meeting became a meaninglessly lengthy one, they drafted a plan and dismissed it.

The Ministry would post on Daily Prophet to recruit volunteers, professors would begin examining the destruction in the castle while the Order would focus on the outside.

When the room emptied, Mimerva stopped Hermione, "Miss Granger, may I have a word with you?"

"Sure, Professor."

"I know I allowed you to stay in the Gryffindor tower yesterday. But I reconsidered it, and I think I should relocate you elsewhere before we have confirmed the structure is safe and clear of untriggered spells."

Hermione did not interrupt, waiting for her professor to continue.

"For the time being, would you move to the spare space in my quarter?"

Hermione blinked, doubting if she had misheard what her professor said.

Hesitantly, Hermione asked, "Will I cause you inconvenience by living with you?" Hermione did not mind spending time with her professor, but living in the same quarter was really something that never crossed her mind.

"As long as you feel comfortable." Minerva looked at her former student. Still her student, she corrected, as the younger witch still had not yet officially graduated.

"I am fine with the arrangement." Hermione nodded.

Minerva was about to suggest they could meet at her office after Hermione finished packing at her dormitory, but the younger witch shook her head, saying she had everything with her already. She tended to keep most of her things in her purse, a habit built from her time on the run.

Minerva lifted an eyebrow but did not question any further, "Wait no time then. I will show you your room."

/ OoOoO /

The two arrived at the Transfiguration Professor office. Not a frequent visitor to the professor's office, but Hermione still recognised the changes there.

The usually tidy desk was filled with piles of parchment. The bookshelves were cracked and books were stacked around the corner. It appeared the owner tried to keep the mess to a minimum but the damage from the war was still visible.

Minerva pointed at a door leading to her private quarter, whispered the password to the portrait.

Animo. (Courage.)

The gentleman on the portrait nodded and the door opened.

"Here is the common area. You can spend time here if you wish." Pointing at the door on the right, Minerva said, "it leads to your room." Paused, "That door leads to mine. Should you need anything, please reach out."

Minerva pushed open the right door to Hermione's room. It was a decent room with everything needed for a stay. Decorated in typical gold and red, but with some personal touches of Scottish tartan, it felt just like the professor.

Standing in the spare room of her professor's quarter, private quarter, Hermione suddenly felt nervous. She felt like she was stepping into the elder witch's privacy, a place where few people had ever been given the privilege.

Minerva allowed the pupil to take some time to scan the room, "This special arrangement will not be long, but make yourself home. I shall leave it to you to unpack and rest. If you need anything, I'll be at the office this afternoon." Without further ado, Minerva left, closing the door quietly.

Hermione dropped her purse and quickly unpacked some necessities for her stay. Instead of spending more time in the room, she stepped outside to see if there's anything she could work on.

/ OoOoO /

Hermione entered the office and saw the now Headmistress working on piles of parchment at her desk.

Noticing her arrival, the older witch put down her quill, "Do you need anything, Miss Granger."

A knock at the door cut the conversation.

"Come in."

Hermione was unsure if she could go back to her room or stay. Before she could decide, the Charms Master, and newly appointed the Deputy Headmaster came in and greeted the two witches.

"How can I help, Filius?"

Seeing Hermione awkwardly standing in front of the desk, Minerva wordlessly flicked her wand and transfigured two armchairs. "Please take a seat."

Filius and Hermione settled quickly. Then, Filius continued, "The investigation reports are due to arrive later this afternoon. I took a glance at some of them. From what I saw in them and my personal assessment, the project is larger than we initially suspected."

Minerva sighed, taking a handful of parchments from her deputy. "And we still have patients in the Hospital Wing. Could you arrange for the group to start examining the structural risks and start fixing on them from the ground floor? A group of curse-breakers will join us tomorrow at the earliest possible to clear off any untriggered spells."

Noded, Filius rose from his chair and left for his mission.

Glancing back at her 'guest', the Headmistress returned to her questions before her deputy's visit. "Now, how can I help you, Miss Granger?"

Slightly shaking her head, "Nothing really. I just want to know if there is anything I could help with."

"You don't have to." Minerva softened her expression.

"I just want to keep myself busy."

"If you insist."

/ OoOoO /

The two began to work on their paperwork, mapping out the whole rebuilding project with all the incoming reports. The work continued until a grumbling sound echoed in the quiet room.

Blushed slightly, Hermione glanced at her professor and swore that she saw a small curve on the corner of the elder witch's mouth.

"Time for a break, I guess."

The Headmistress asked a house elf to prepare a quick dinner for the two, explaining, "Most of them stayed. Grieving the loss, but they have opted to assist in the reconstruction of their home."

Home.

They ate the meal with light chit-chat, resumed their task afterward, and repeated the similar situation at dinner.

It was late at night when the two decided to call it a night. After exchanging "good night", the two witches returned to their rooms.