Albus finished gathering the papers he needed from his bedside table. It was rare he did work anywhere but his desk, but reading the new Potions curriculum sent by the Ministry had been much more doable when he was in the comfort of his own bed. The Ministry had changed its requirements for many of its positions, which meant that they wanted Hogwarts to comply with the change in standards. Albus was thankful that the changes were just concepts and not explicit plans that professors had to follow. One of the few things Albus truly valued about the Ministry was that they allowed much discretion to Hogwarts professors in what they needed to teach. There were always some things that students were expected to know for their O. , but he was so selective about hiring teachers because of this freedom with their curriculum. At the beginning of his Headmastership, it hadn't been that way. Standards had softened over the years. Therefore, when the ministry did come to him with any changes, he made his best effort to comply.
As he sat on his bed, making a few notes, he heard Severus and Minerva letting themselves into his office. He chuckled lightly to himself. If he had received this news a few months ago, he knew the meeting would have been impossible to have with the two of them together. The hostility between the rival heads of houses had been unbearable upon Severus's arrival. Albus knew that if they didn't kill each other, they would eventually become friends. They needed each other. He had sent Minerva to Severus the night the Potters died, hoping that, both being so vulnerable, the night would bring them closer. Considering that since that evening, they had become much friendlier, he figured his plan hadn't blown up in his face.
"Does this happen often?" he heard Severus ask.
"Hm?"
"The ministry…making changes to the curriculum." The Potions Master voice was skeptical.
"Oh. I wouldn't say often, but don't worry yourself over it. It's only going to be a few things they want us to make sure we include in the curriculum. Albus wouldn't let them take over."
He smiled at her loyalty to him and her kindness towards Severus. A silence fell between them, and Albus decided not to interrupt quite yet. Minerva may have been the cat Animagus, but Albus had the curiosity of his tabby formed Deputy. Severus spoke again, his voice having a tint of worry. "If you haven't noticed, Minerva, my passion is not teaching. Whether I have free reign to make the curriculum or it's read word for word to me, I couldn't care less. Though, I would imagine they are targeting the Potions curriculum because of who's teaching it."
Albus peered out the part of his door that was ajar. He couldn't see his two friends well, but he could see that they sat at the two chairs across from his desk. Minerva put a hand on his arm. "No, don't think that," she replied softly. "I understand why you think that…but, no. I assure you this is routine."
Severus snorted. "Oh please, Minerva."
She shook her head. "No," she said again, her voice stern. "We're not…they're not after you because of your past. You were acquitted."
"And as I recall, that didn't keep you from hating me? Do you really think the Ministry took it lightly that a Death Eater is teaching at Hogwarts?"
She fell silent, pulling her hand from his arm. "I never hated you."
Severus sat smugly looking at her. "I could feel that deep Gryffindor compassion when we first met again," he sneered.
"I didn't hate you!" she exclaimed sternly, her voice firm the way it was when she scolded her students. "I was disappointed, Severus. I was sad and angry, but I never hated you."
His eyes narrowed, and Albus could tell he was taking in her words. He imagined it was very rare that someone said anything kind to the young man. Severus didn't look like he believed her. "I never said I blamed you for hating me. There's no need to be defensive."
"I'm not defensive, Severus. I never am. I value honesty and I don't know if I ever was honest about my feelings. I never hated you."
"I appreciate that." A small smile escaped her lips, and Albus swore he saw his Deputy's cheeks pinken every so slightly.
Albus smiled to himself and entered his office, hating to break up the bonding happening between his two closest staff members. Their friendship that was developing warmed his heart, and dare he say there even seemed to be a small spark between them.