"Classes have been in session a week now," the Headmaster said cheerfully as the rest of the staff around the table looked as if they were about to fall asleep. Filius felt his own eyes closing out of exhaustion from the first week of classes. New students, new schedules, and new curriculums were always something to adjust to. It meant a lot of time outside of class helping students get around Hogwarts, answering questions, and making lesson plans for the term. Filius couldn't understand why Albus had chosen to have the staff meetings so late in the evening. He suspected that maybe it was the only time their schedules lined up. Whatever the reason, everyone dreaded when Albus made their meetings late in the evening. "And I wanted to hear from everyone about how their week went and where you see the year going, so on and so forth."

Beside him Rolanda groaned. "This is going to take forever."

"Do you want to share that with the class, Ro?" Minerva pipped in, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth to show it was a joke.

"Minerva, I really would rather not."

Minerva chuckled slightly, winking to her friend. Albus then began to go around the table, asking everyone to share a few sentences about their week. The smartest of the bunch like Minerva and Rolanda got through their things quickly. Others like Sybil who just enjoyed hearing themselves talk rambled on and on, making the meeting drag out more than it needed to.

When they had gotten about three quarters of the way around the table, all eyes fell on Severus as Albus asked him about his week. Filius perked up at this, curious to hear from the newest, and most controversial staff member. Filius had yet to form an opinion on Severus. There was, of course, his past to consider. However, Albus had made it very clear that he believed Severus had changed and Filius was inclined to trust Albus. Severus had mostly kept to himself, though that was just his way as it was as a child. As much as Filius wanted to be fair and open towards Severus, something about knowing there was a dark mark branded under his tightly buttoned sleeve made it hard to overlook. And, the man wasn't pleasant to be around to begin with. "Well, Headmaster. I have found that students of all levels seem to be behind where they should be with their potions work-,"

A scoff from across the table interrupted him and all eyes turned to Minerva who sat shaking her head. "And on what basis do you judge that they are behind?"

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Based on what is needed for the O.W.L's and what I believe to be an adequate knowledge base."

"So this is based on your beliefs with no prior teaching experience?" The room fell dead silent. There was intense tension in the air. Everyone knew Minerva had been vehemently against Severus's hiring, and Minerva was never quiet about her opinions. Though, Filius wondered if creating so much tension in the staff meeting was the appropriate time to express it.

"It's based on my expertise in the subject which, correct me if I am out of line in saying, Headmaster, is why I was hired for the position. I would think as Deputy you were part of that conversation." He had struck a nerve with Minerva. Everyone knew he had overlooked her when he had hired Severus. Her face reddened at this. "If you had concerns about my qualifications, perhaps you should have brought it up then." He spoke in a slow and methodical way, starkly contrasting Minerva's sharp temper.

"Oh believe me, it's not your qualifications that were my main concerns."

"Enough!" Albus shouted. It was rare that Albus yelled. His face was bright red as he looked between the two staff members. "Thank you for expressing your concerns, Severus. May I ask the both of you to return to your rooms so that I may finish with the rest of my staff without the two of you shouting at each other."

Severus and Minerva both stood from their chairs. Filius felt slightly nervous, knowing that if either wizard wanted to, they could do a great deal of damage to the other both physically and emotionally. The heads of Slytherin and Gryffindor not only reflected the positive traits of their respective houses, but the negative as well. "I'll go, Headmaster," Severus said. "I believe the Deputy should remain here in case she finds concerns with what someone else has to say." The sarcasm dripped in every word he and Minerva's nostrils were flared as they always did when she was angry. If looks could kill, Severus would have been dead in that moment. With that said, Severus left, and Minerva sat back down.

Silence fell over the room for a moment until Albus tried to keep the conversation going by asking Poppy how many students had already been to the infirmary.

After the meeting, Filius hurried to catch up with Minerva as she had left in a huff, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone as she normally did. "Minerva!" he shouted, knowing his small legs would never catch up to her. Much to his relief, she did turn around and stop walking. "Minerva, my dear, I wanted to talk to you about the meeting…"

"I assure you, I don't have much to talk about. I believe I made my opinion abundantly clear."

Filius sighed. "Don't you think you can find it in you to trust him a wee bit?"

Her face softened for a moment. "Filius…not now. Even if his confidences have completely changed, he's a miserable person. He's not fit to teach, and he's made no effort to get to know anyone."

"And have we been the most welcoming?" She made no reply. "The moment he walked into the staff room for the first time, the room went silent and everyone stared. Could you blame the man for being standoffish? You knew him the best out of all of us when he was a child…"

"And look what he turned out to be."

"Maybe he saw his mistakes," Filius added. Words were coming out of his mouth that he hadn't thought twice about. He couldn't believe he found himself defending Severus. Later, he would reflect and realize how seeing others treat Severus so coldly without giving him a chance looked from the outside made him feel sorry for the man.

"At what cost, Filius? We all lost someone to them. I'm sure he's been part of it."

"We all have blood on our hands after this war, Minerva." She fell silent. They both knew it was true. "Think about the young boy that you found crying in the hallway outside the Gryffindor common room all those years ago."

"I don't know if he's still in there, Filius. I just don't know."

Filius reached out and grabbed his friend's hand, squeezing it. She smiled slightly. "Get some sleep. At least…think on what I said?"

"I will." She squeezed his hand back and hurried towards her rooms.