Charity did not make a habit out of staring at Severus Snape. She had little interest in his drab personality, and not to mention his Death Eater background still made her wary, even though she didn't question his loyalties. Something about knowing what he once did to Muggles was unsettling. They were cordial, but nothing near the point of friendship. However, when Gilderoy Lockhart stood to introduce himself at the first staff meeting of the year, her eyes were locked on Severus who's face wore the most priceless look she had ever seen. Normally, the man had such a good poker face, it was impossible to tell what he was feeling. She thought his jaw was going to hit the table by the time Gilderoy finished listing the 'highlights' of his 'resume.'

"As a side note," he added just as the room seemed to relax, thinking he was finished, "I must say, I'm a killer with the ladies. We'll all be real snug in this castle; you men better watch out!" he exclaimed with a laugh that echoed through the silent staff room. Charity, whether it was out of habit because she was the heart of the staff, or because the rumors had finally reached her, a year into teaching, that Minerva and Severus were lovers, she looked at Minerva. A few seats down, Minerva's face was red, she looking half annoyed and half like she couldn't contain her laughter. "It's the benefit of fame!" He winked, clapping his hands together.

"Are you quite done?" Minerva snapped, her lips drawn thin. Albus put a hand up. Somehow, the man had the patience for even the most irritating occurrences at staff meetings.

"Ah, yes. Gildeory, I would like to be moving on with this meeting."

Gilderoy smiled. "If you want to hear more of my tales, I'd be happy to share over a drink this evening!" He sat down, jabbing Minerva with his elbow. "I'd love to share with such an esteemed witch."

Severus was glaring at Gilderoy, though he said nothing. Minerva's closed her eyes for a moment before turning to Gilderoy. "If I wanted to listen to such fiction, I'd talk to Irma about checking something out of the library. Professor Lockhart, the only thing we will be sharing are lesson plans."

Albus patted the parchment in front of him. "I'd like to get through this agenda as quickly as we can so we can move on with our evenings. I'm sure everyone has preparations to make." He smiled cheerfully, though Charity could tell it was forced.

Staff meetings, especially the first of the year, were always drawn out. Gilderoy's presence made it even longer- his comments after everything dragged the meeting a half hour longer than Charity had expected. By the end of the meeting, Severus's and Minerva's faces were bright red, Albus still a semblance of his cheery self, making the anger in both of his right hands even more entertaining. When Albus officially ended the meeting, Gilderoy stood and stretched. "Ah, what fun this has been!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Albus nodded. "Minerva?"

The Deputy nodded. "I'll be there in a bit, Albus."

He smiled and left the room, Gilderoy trailing behind him, going on and on about how well he was going to do in the position. When the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was out of earshot, a collective sigh came over the room. "Please don't tell me you were part of his hiring, Min?" Rolanda asked, making her way to the front of the room.

Minerva glared at her, her face still red. "To think I would have hired such a…a…"

"Pompous bastard," Severus added.

"Yes, Severus, thank you. No, Ro, I had not met him until last night."

A hand came down on her shoulder, and Charity turned to see Pomona standing behind her. "Do we not see the pattern?"

Charity raised an eyebrow at her former head of house. "Excuse me?"

"Ever since Charity joined our staff last year, we've had rotten luck with Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers." Pomona's eyes were light, and Charity knew she was joking.

"Ah, but the curse!" Sybil added from the corner of the room. Charity smiled at her as the others rolled her eyes. She didn't buy into anything the woman said, but she'd always felt slightly sorry for her. The others had no patience for her; she meant well. She was just…different. "He Who Must Not Be Named and the curse!"

"Is the curse true, Minerva?" Poppy asked. "I mean it does line up…"

The Deputy took a long look at Sybil and sighed. "I will have to say Sybil is not wrong with that one. As many of you know, we haven't had a single Dark Arts professor last more than a year in…years…since, well, since Tom Riddle was rejected for the job. Though, to Pomona's point, the last two have been dreadful, the others just…wore out after the year."

The conversation died down as people began to say their goodbyes and go towards their rooms. Charity collected her things, trying to push down the anxiety that was beginning to bubble in her as she thought back to how much of a target she could have been her first year of teaching if young Harry hadn't defeated Quirrell. She was a Muggleborn, and she taught the most controversial class in the curriculum. She'd been hesitant to take on the position when Albus had offered it to her years before. It had taken until the Dark Lord had been gone for a bit that she let her guards down and came to Hogwarts. If He Who Must Not Be Named was still out there…still able to find ways to come back…she and the Muggleborn children weren't safe. Gilderoy seemed harmless enough, just a pompous wannabe celebrity. But, if there was more to him…she was scared not only for herself, but for her Muggleborn students. She had seen too up close and personal what the Death Eaters were capable of.

Severus and Minerva were the last in the room, and Charity mentally contemplated bringing her concerns to them. She was still new, and if she were honest Minerva and Severus both intimidated her. Her fears felt foolish, and she didn't want to come off incompetent, especially not to either of them. Yet, as she went to leave, she touched Minerva's arm, breaking her conversation with Severus, feeling slightly guilty for it. "Minerva?"

"Yes, dear?"
"I wanted to ask you both…I feel really ridiculous even bringing this up…embarrassed really…"

"Charity, just say it," Severus said, a hint of impatience in his voice.

She felt her cheeks redden. "After the events of last term, I'm slightly nervous about Gilderoy's intentions…and well he seems just like a buffoon, but if he is associated with him, and he is successful in coming back, well we are all in danger, but the Muggleborns…" She could have cursed herself at the way she was rambling. Charity held her head in her hands. "I'm sorry, professors, I should go."

Minerva took her arm. "It's alright, dear. Your fears are valid. Severus, did Gilderoy have any connections with the Death Eaters that you know of?"

Severus shook his head. "No, Charity. I do think he is just a moron."

"I understand why you're nervous, dear." Minerva's voice was kind, and it was then that Charity knew why despite her cold exterior, she was the Deputy Headmistress. "The war was especially hard on you. Your daughter…"

Charity swallowed hard, trying not to think of the memories that Minerva was evoking. Tears began to spring in her eyes, picturing her little girl coming home from Hogwarts in her robes, excited to be in Hufflepuff like her mother, when the attack happened. It was the last memory Charity had of her. "I…yes…they all remind me of her…"

Minerva hugged her, and Charity rested her chin on the woman's shoulder. Severus was still standing there, looking uncomfortable. She knew that it must have been awkward to hear about the horrors his former associates and, possibly himself, had committed. "You're safe, and so are the students," Minerva said comfortingly as she pulled from the hug. Charity nodded, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. Severus pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it to her. Minerva smiled, and Charity took it, quietly thanking him. "I have to meet with Albus," she said. "I'll be in his office if you need anything, Charity," she said. "Severus…"

"It will be late, I know," he nodded. "I'll be at Filius's."

Minerva reached out and squeezed his hand before leaving. Left alone, Severus and Charity stood in silence for a few minutes until Severus broke it. "Charity…I didn't know about…Minerva never told me…"

"Stop," she said, putting a hand up. She knew he was going to talk about the attack on her daughter and the other students during the war. "I don't need your pity." It sounded harsher than she meant. "You're here now."

Severus nodded. "Good night." As he turned to leave, Charity couldn't help but want to try to lighten the situation. She called his name.

"Take good care of her," she said lightly.

"What?"
"Minerva…she's a kind woman."

He nodded and was out the door. Charity finished gathering her things from the table, in a now empty staff room. Opening her parchment slightly, a small photo of Anna smiled at her. "I miss you, dear," she said, holding back tears. "You always wanted me to teach. I made it through one year, let's see how two goes."