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

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Chapter 2 If You Insist

When Hermione arrives at the staff room, it is 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 do not change much, except the cursed DADA professors. Other than professors, there are some Order of the Phoenix members and possibly officials from the Ministry. She seems to be the youngest of them all.

Her entry does not go unnoticed. Some arches their eyebrows. But before anyone could comment anything, Minerva rises and the room goes silent.

Hermione quickly moves next to the Charms Master, who kindly waves 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 states.

"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 welcomes suggestions.

The room begins to fill with heated discussions. Luckily, before the meeting becomes a meaninglessly lengthy one, they draft a plan and dismiss 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, Minerva stops 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 does not interrupt, waiting for her professor to continue.

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

Hermione blinks, doubting if she has misheard what her professor said.

Hesitantly, Hermione asks, "Will I cause you inconvenience by living with you?" Hermione does not mind spending time with her professor, but living in the same quarters is really something that never crossed her mind.

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

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

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

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

/ OoOoO /

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

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

Minerva points at a door leading to her private quarter, whispering the password to the portrait.

Animo. (Courage.)

The gentleman on the portrait nods and the door opens.

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

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

Standing in the spare room of her professor's quarters, private quarters, Hermione suddenly feels nervous. She feels like she is stepping into the elder witch's personal space, a place where few people had ever been given the privilege.

Minerva allows 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 leaves, closing the door quietly.

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

/ OoOoO /

Hermione enters the office and sees the now Headmistress working on piles of parchment at her desk.

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

A knock at the door cut the conversation.

"Come in."

Hermione is unsure if she should go back to her room or stay. Before she could decide, the Charms Master, and newly appointed Deputy Headmaster comes in and greets the two witches.

"How can I help, Filius?"

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

Filius and Hermione settle quickly. Then, Filius continues, "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 sighs, 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."

Nodded, Filius rises from his chair and leaves for his mission.

Glancing back at her 'guest', the Headmistress returns 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 softens her expression.

"I just want to keep myself busy."

"If you insist."

/ OoOoO /

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

Blushing slightly, Hermione glances at her professor and swears that she sees a small curve on the corner of the elder witch's mouth.

"Time for a break, I guess."

The Headmistress asks 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 have the meal with light chit-chat, resume their task afterward, and repeat the similar situation at dinner.

It is late at night when the two decide to call it a night. After exchanging "good night", the two witches return to their rooms.