Irma glanced down at the parchment that she had put down on the table, checking off the books she had pulled for first year potions and beginning the search for the second-year curriculum. She always pulled out the books that professors were using to have for students in case they couldn't afford books or misplaced theirs. She only had a few copies of each, some she only had one, but it was something. Magical Drafts and Potions was not in the best conditions, but Irma shrugged and added it to the pile.

With the term close to beginning, Irma took in her last opportunity to enjoy the solitude of the library. Pretty soon it would be filled with students doing homework, research, and trying to steal a corner after-hours to meet up in secret. Even as a student, Irma hadn't taken much interest in intense socialization. She would have much rather spent the evening with a good book rather than out and about at the Three Broomsticks. Therefore, the summers were her favorite part of the year. She spent her time trying to restore order to the mess students had inevitably created over the year and to get in her own personal reading. Occasionally, the staff who had remained in the castle would pop in and out, but they knew better than to bother her. It wasn't that Irma didn't like her colleagues or that they didn't like her, but she found she didn't mesh with most of them. The librarian was closest to Filius, her former Head of House being the person she related to the most. But, she knew Filius had a way of getting along well with anyone. He always did most of the talking, but she found they were both often reading the same books in their spare time and those conversations were something she looked forward to.

Irma was taken out of her thoughts by the sound of the heels clicking down the aisles. "Severus!" Startled slightly by the sudden noise, Irma leaned out from the shelves she was sorting through and saw Minerva and Severus standing in the middle of the library. She hadn't realized anyone else was in the library. "It's good to finally see you."

Severus had a stack of books in his hands, which he put down as he leaned against the table. "I take it you've had a busy summer?"

Minerva nodded. "I have. Did you stay in the castle the whole summer?"

"I took a few weeks at Spinner's End, but I found it much more productive to remain here."

"I find the castle very peaceful in the summer." Severus nodded. "I was rather hoping I'd run into you the weeks I was here."

Severus's voice softened slightly when he spoke again. "I apologize. I've been busy brewing for Poppy all summer. Apparently, these dunderheads go through a lot more potions than I would have ever guessed as a student. Trust me, I would have much rather a night of chess over one more night answering to her."

Minerva sighed. Irma raised an eyebrow. Poppy and Minerva were best friends and Irma couldn't imagine Minerva taking any comment against her friend lightly. "I had hoped her attitude would have improved over the summer."

Snape snorted. "I think without you or Filius around, she figured she best get in the unpleasantries while she can."

To Irma's surprise, Minerva put a hand on his arm. "She'll come around."

Severus moved her hand off of her arm. But, Irma noted it wasn't aggressive. It was in an almost teasing way as his lips twitched at her comment. "You seem to think I care about her opinion of me. I'm simply making an observation."

Minerva smiled. "I think you care more than you let on."

Snape picked his stack of books back up. "I was going to say I missed your company the last few months, but I'm regretting letting that thought cross my mind."

Minerva laughed and moved beside him to lean against the table as well. She looked more relaxed than Irma ever remembered seeing her. "See? You are getting soft."

Irma normally tried to keep herself out of staff gossip. Rolanda and her group loved to gossip while Irma found it unprofessional and useless. Yet, even she had to admit, there was something strange about the developing friendship between the rival heads of houses. Irma found Severus to be unpleasant and Minerva to be a bit irritating at times. Yet, the two of them were constantly engaged in rather humorous rivalries, and it seemed that had a deeper friendship than either let on. Irma couldn't help but find herself curious as to what went on between the two.

Minerva had moved herself from the table when Severus spoke, causing her to stop. "What are your plans tonight, Minerva?"

Irma hated herself for perking up at the question like a teenager spying on her friends, but she couldn't stop herself from listening.

"Chess and a glass of Firewhisky?"

"To be honest with you, if I spend one more night in this castle I may go out of my mind."

"Hogsmeade?" she suggested.

"8 o'clock?"

"I'll see you then." With that, Minerva began once more to leave. When she had almost reached the door, she turned and smiled. "Welcome back, Severus." With that, she was gone, and Severus made his way down one of the aisles.

Irma quickly turned and picked her parchment back up, continuing to pull books from the shelves, trying not to think too much into the personal lives of her colleagues.