A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned.
Chapter One
"Severus, will you for Merlin's sake please sit down!" Hermione Granger shouted exasperated at him for he was driving her up the proverbial wall. Severus had been pacing back and forth in front of the fire quite a lot lately and Hermione had finally just about had enough. "What is wrong with you, Severus? You've been pacing a lot lately. I want you to either let me read in peace or I'm leaving now for my own chambers where I can read without having you stomping up and down like some overgrown bloody bat!" She said, anger clearly etched in her face and exhaling loudly.
Severus glared half-heartedly back at her before slumping down into the armchair opposite her, sighing deeply and for once not rising to the bait. "Talk to me, Severus. Tell me what's wrong." Hermione pleaded leaning forward with her book half shut, index finger marking the page she was on and looking at him intently for answers. Severus just slightly shook his head and sat in more quiet thought so she sat back with her book again re- reading the paragraph she'd been trying to get through for the last ten minutes.
"Hermione?" Severus Snape softly called from his chair a few moments later. They were sat by the fire in his chambers within the dungeons of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They had been in Severus' chambers since breakfast simply taking a supposedly quiet half hour before they would have to traipse off up to the staff meeting Dumbledore had arranged. It was one week before the start of term and several staff positions had yet to be filled, which was a major bone of contention for the whole faculty right now. It was thought that teachers may never be found since so many qualified witches and wizards had lost their lives in the final battle with Voldemort and his Death Eaters almost two years previously. Last year several temporary teachers had been found but they had all left for pastures new- taking up positions at other learning institutes and within the Ministry of Magic itself instead. Some, however, simply had decided that now was finally the time to raise a family, and so would not leave their homes in order to live in a boarding school for ten months of the year.
"Yes, Severus," Hermione said looking up from her book once again and hoping that this time he would get whatever it was off his chest because she was so close to getting up and walking out, leaving him to stew about whatever it was in peace.
Severus got up and moved across the hearth rug to sit beside her on the two- seater leather couch. Hermione put the book down on her lap finally giving up on reading it as Severus turned to face her taking one of her hands lightly in his. He stared directly into her eyes, never wavering his gaze; his facial expression not quite enough to give anything away. Hermione stared back with question in her eyes seeing a glint in his as the orange flames of the fire reflected off them.
Severus was just sitting there looking at her, not moving a muscle and the tension was mounting to an unbearable level when suddenly he spoke, breaking the silence. "We have been together for almost a year now, ever since you came back to Hogwarts to teach." He stated matter-of-factly while he ensured that he had her undivided attention.
"Yes?" She said sarcastically looking back at him, getting lost in his deep dark eyes. She was aware of how long they'd been together since she had been a deciding factor in the start of their relationship as Severus had seemed to want to remain celibate for the rest of his life. She loved this man with all her heart, he had changed after the final battle but he was still his stern snarky self around others. With Hermione though he was usually totally different, he had seemed to dote on her and would do anything for her, not at all what you would expect from Severus Snape. However, the last two weeks had not been too good at all. Severus had been lost in thought quite frequently, refusing to talk about whatever was on his mind and being rather abrupt on occasions. Sometimes he had avoided Hermione for practically a whole day saying he was too busy with the new curriculum and preparing for classes. He would send Hermione away and never say when he would be free again. They had had a couple of arguments, which were not uncommon occurrences for them but they were hurtful nonetheless, and then of course there was his incessant pacing. This morning had been the first time they had spent any length of time together for over a week now, and Hermione was becoming nervous that perhaps Severus had decided to call off their relationship. 'All good things must come to an end,' Hermione thought reluctantly as she felt the first prickle of tears come to her eyes and fought to stop them from showing.
"You are the most important thing in my life, Hermione." Severus told her after a long pause. He knew what he wanted to say but it was hard to simply come out and say it and this was mightily frustrating for him. He had wanted to say this for the last two weeks. longer if he really thought about it but he couldn't bring himself to say it or find the right moment for that matter.
"Oh, Severus, you know that you are the most important thing in my life as well but these last two weeks have been awful to tell the truth." Hermione said looking at him in confusion and running her free hand softly down his left cheek. Usually Snape got straight to the point and said what was on his mind. "What's wrong, Severus? Have I done something to offend you or annoy you? Tell me, Severus, this isn't like you." Hermione said becoming more nervous by the second. She looked down at her closed book, not wanting to see his face when he finally told her he was calling a halt to their relationship. She felt it would kill her if he said this, she would most definitely have to leave Hogwarts and work somewhere else, for she couldn't be around him knowing that he did not love her.
"No, you have not offended me in any way, Hermione." Severus told her quickly. "I don't want you to ever think that."
"Then what is it, Severus? Please tell me." She begged him; she didn't think she could bear this for much longer, her emotions could not be held back indefinitely.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. now or never, he thought. "Hermione." He said again, gently taking her chin in his other free hand and making her look at him in the eye again before releasing her.
"Severus?" She replied meekly.
"Hermione. would you do me the honour of. of becoming my wife?" Snape asked, fear of rejection immediately creeping in after he'd said it. He was still insecure about their relationship even though they had been together for nearly a year now, and this insecurity increased when Hermione's eyes went wide. She was shocked, absolutely floored. This seemed so out of the blue, especially after the way their relationship had been over the last two weeks but yet, it felt so right at the same time. She opened her mouth to speak but Severus beat her to it. "It's okay; I don't expect an answer straight away but."
"Yes, I will, Severus. I love you so much." Hermione said, not having to think very long at all about it. It was Severus' turn to be shocked for he truly had expected a rejection after the way he had been behaving lately.
"You will?" Severus asked; a smile creeping onto his face as her answer began to sink in.
"Yes, I will." She said nodding and smiling brightly, tears of joy coming to her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him tenderly on the lips.
"Are you sure, Hermione?" Severus asked pulling away slightly. "I mean, the last two weeks."
"Are in the past, Severus." Hermione assured him, placing a finger to his lips to silence him. "And besides, the last ten months have been spectacular so my decision is based on those." Severus moved closer to her on the couch and captured her lips with his again. Moving into a tight embrace he deepened the kiss running his tongue along her bottom lip to gain access to her mouth. Hermione opened her mouth and they deepened the kiss for a short while.
"Oh, Hermione. Something I forgot." Severus said breaking their contact, getting up off the couch and moving towards his desk. She followed his movements with her eyes and saw him opening up the top drawer and pulling out a small black box. He came back over to the couch and sat down next to her. "This is an engagement ring I have had in my possession for around two months now." Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise and watching him intently. "Well, I've wanted to ask you to marry me for a long time now but I just couldn't."
"Well, you should have just asked me, Severus." Hermione told him. "I would have said yes." Severus smiled at that confession.
"Hermione, I thought you would reject me and I didn't want to force you into anything you weren't ready for." He opened the box and presented the ring to Hermione.
"Oh! Severus, it's beautiful." Hermione gasped as he took it out of its enclosure and pulled her hand towards him gently. "I don't know how to thank you, Severus. it's. it's. breathtaking." She said lost for words. The ring was white gold with an engraved serpent and griffin surrounding the most exquisite stone set in the middle. The stone was the most fascinating she had ever seen, it was not one colour in particular and seemed to be floating above the ring itself- not attached but yet totally secure. It changed from a green to silver to a red to gold, encompassing all of the house colours from their respective academic backgrounds. "I've never seen a stone like this, Severus. What is it?" Hermione asked him admiring the workmanship.
"The stone is not naturally occurring, Hermione." Severus told her. "I made it myself from a potion I had been working on for four months. I finally finished it and sent it off to a jeweller in Diagon Alley to be mounted onto the white gold ring itself." He glanced at her face and was so happy to see that she adored the ring; he had been worried it would not be pleasing to her eye due to its uniqueness. "And before you ask, yes I'll let you see my notes regarding the potion." Severus said smiling as she chuckled at how well he knew her. Since she'd graduated from Hogwarts, now seven years previously, her love of learning had simply increased and she was still very much the book worm.
"Can I wear it, Severus?" Hermione asked fully aware that Severus was still shy about public displays of his love life.
"Of course, Hermione." He said placing the ring onto her finger where it magically altered its size to fit perfectly.
"What about anyone noticing it?" Hermione asked.
"Let them, my love. I want everyone to know that you are now my fiancé. After all, everyone will know soon enough when we are married." Severus told her. The staff was aware of a relationship going on between the two of the Hogwarts teachers and secretly they were very pleased that Severus and Hermione seemed so happy together after all they had been through during the war years and Snape for even longer.
"Should we announce it at the staff meeting?" Hermione asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, let's do that. Let the staff get over the shock before the start of term." Severus said. "Speaking of the staff meeting, shall we get going? We only have five minutes in which to get there."
"Oh, right." Hermione said getting up from the couch and helping Severus up as well. "And, Severus, thank you so much." Hermione said embracing him and kissing him deeply again. Severus embraced her back tightly and they sank into a momentum that would prove to bring about all sorts of other reactions unless they stopped immediately. Severus pulled away.
"Hermione," He spoke, his voice constricted and the start of his erection very difficult not to respond to. He cleared his throat. "We had better go now or I won't be able to keep my hands to myself and we'd never get there."
Hermione blushed and reached for her cloak, which was on the back of the couch. Since it was still the holidays teachers were not expected to wear their robes so Hermione had dressed in a beige coloured Muggle Oxford shirt and pair of black jeans, while Severus had managed to forgo his many buttoned blazer and left his dress as simply his usual black trousers and a heavy dark green shirt, it was almost black, with loose black cloak on top. She clasped his hand tightly. They left the dungeons and headed off to the staffroom.
"Was that what was wrong with you these last few weeks, Severus?" Hermione asked as it suddenly dawned on her that she might have an explanation for his strange behaviour. They made their way up the stairs to the ground floor of the school.
"I was nervous, Hermione. I didn't know how to broach the subject and I thought you would reject me." Severus told her as they reached the top of the stairs and continued on up to the staff room on the second floor, still holding hands and carefully avoiding walking through the Grey Lady- the Hufflepuff House ghost.
Hermione stopped abruptly and turned to face her fiancé. "Promise me Severus that you will talk to me if you have something bothering you. It's pointless stewing on a problem when you can talk to me."
"I will, Hermione. I promise." Severus said moving closer to her and kissing her on the lips once again. They heard someone clearing their throat and broke apart quickly as though they had been first years caught in the act. Turning around to face the intruder they saw that it was the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
"Good morning Severus, Hermione. I trust you are both well?" Albus said amused by the guilty expressions on both of their faces.
"Quite well, Headmaster, thank you." Hermione replied, smiling sheepishly.
"Yes, Albus." Severus told him.
Dumbledore looked down at Hermione's hand, which was still clasped in Severus', their fingers entwined. He noticed the sparkle coming from Hermione's finger and smiled to himself. He was sure that they'd be announcing something very soon. "Shall we then?" Dumbledore said gesturing to the door on their left. "I believe we are the last to arrive." He cleared his throat and leaned towards them slightly and conspiratorially. "Congratulations by the way and will you be announcing it before or after the meeting?"
Severus and Hermione just looked at each other and then said "Before," in unison. Dumbledore chuckled and opened the door to the staff room, allowing the two of them to precede him before entering himself.
The room was rather noisy as all of the teachers chatted amongst themselves but slowly quietened down when the Headmaster arrived. Several chairs were empty due to the still depleted staffing level and the ones that were occupied were all forming a circle around the fire place, which was burning pleasantly. Severus and Hermione took seats next to each other by the fire with Professor Sprout on one side and the Headmaster on the other.
"If I could draw this meeting together please I believe there is a little announcement before we actually begin to discuss the more mundane of our problems." Dumbledore said gesturing to his colleagues. Hermione and Severus both smiled at each other before Severus nodded in her direction letting her know she could tell everyone.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Severus and I are engaged to be married." She said holding up her hand and showing off the ring with a huge grin erupting on her face. There was a round of applause and congratulations from all of the assembled staff.
"Oh, what a beautiful ring." Professor Sprout gasped from beside Hermione, peering over the arm of her chair for a closer look.
"Severus made the stone himself." Hermione said. There were a few gasps at that and the Headmaster chuckled at Severus as he rolled his eyes in embarrassment.
"Well, congratulations once again, Hermione and Severus. I think a celebratory feast is in order for this evening. I shall inform the house elves after this meeting." Dumbledore said. "So, shall we continue on as we have quite a bit to get through?" With that everyone calmed down and the meeting was in session.
"Okay, for those of you who have been away for the summer, welcome back." Dumbledore started the meeting glancing at each of his colleagues in turn and smiling. "I have a few announcements to make to start with. The new cohort of first years is going to be quite large this year and because of this I have decided that Minerva should focus her attentions solely on her role as Transfiguration teacher and Deputy Headmistress."
Minerva nodded her head, it was quite clear that she was already aware of this and was happy about the situation. "Professor McGonagall will be now housed in the South Tower adjoining the fourth floor and her office will be one level down from my own, which if you visit me you will note that the Griffin at the base of my tower now stops at two different levels. My tower has been magically given another floor you see. So, you will have to tell the Griffin which floor you want.
"In light of Minerva's change in position we therefore, have an opening for the Head of Gryffindor House and I would like to offer that position to our Arithmancy teacher, Hermione Granger." Dumbledore looked directly at Hermione with a twinkle in his eye, hoping she would accept his offer.
Hermione's eyes went wide and she nodded eagerly. Severus squeezed her hand and smiled proudly at her. "Thank you so much, Albus. Of course I will accept."
"Excellent. Minerva of course will be on hand for any queries regarding the running of Gryffindor but I'm sure you will infuse your own talents into the House and settle into the role fairly quickly, Hermione." He smiled again. "Secondly, I do believe that a new dark force may be rising soon and I want everyone to be on the look out." Everyone in the room gasped and Severus spoke up.
"Albus, what do you know?" He asked very seriously and with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. Surely they could have a little longer of a reprieve before the world was cast back into darkness yet again?
"Only a feeling, Severus but it's the same feeling I had when Tom Riddle was a student of mine in this school. I do believe that perhaps another student may be forced onto a similar path to that of Riddle, and I want you all to be vigilant. I do not want someone like Tom Riddle to be produced from this school yet again, especially since we have recently cleansed the world of Voldemort." Albus said gravely.
"We always knew the world would never be cleaned of all the bad wizards, Albus." Morag Sinistra the Astronomy teacher stated from across the room.
"Yes, but we must try to at least stop those bad wizards from becoming anywhere near like Voldemort or Grindelwald for that matter." Minerva countered.
"Do you believe it has anything to do with the Death Eaters who escaped, Headmaster?" Remus Lupin, the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher spoke up, glancing quickly over at Severus as well as Dumbledore with worry etched onto his face.
"There are no active Death Eaters left since Lucius Malfoy was taken out of commission." Severus said, remembering the very killing curse that had been emitted from his wand in order to do the deed. "However, I do know that a few of the least talented Death Eaters managed to keep out of Azkaban. I believe the Ministry have forced them out into the Muggle World and confiscated their wands?" Severus asked, looking to Dumbledore for confirmation. Dumbledore simply nodded as it was to the best of his knowledge as well.
"Who do you believe the new threat is, Albus?" Professor Trelawney asked in her whispery voice from her chair that was set back from all of the others and partially obscured by shadows. Most of the staff rolled their eyes wondering how this woman was still in teaching since she was grossly incompetent in her field.
"You mean you don't have any ideas, Sybil?" Minerva asked sarcastically putting on an air of bewilderment at the fact that there was something Sybil didn't know from reading her tea leaves.
"I have not yet been gifted with any kind of vision regarding this turn of events, Minerva." Trelawney countered in her defence. Minerva just huffed and ignored her, as was her standard practice anyway.
"I believe the potential dark wizard or witch for that matter will be joining us this year at Hogwarts." The Headmaster told them. "Now of course I do not expect much to happen until they have graduated but I do want to steer him or her away from the interest at the very least."
"Well then, can we not do something in order to screen the new first years that join us this year?" Penelope Clearwater, who had taken over as librarian from Madam Pince after the war asked. "Perhaps ask the Sorting Hat to sift through whoever has dark powers or something? I mean with such a large intake of students it will be hard enough for us to keep an eye on everyone as it is."
"That's a good idea, Penny. Do you think that it will be able to discern anything like that Albus? After all, is an eleven year old likely to want to aspire to such heights at such a young age?" Hermione asked.
"The Sorting Hat may be able to help, I will ask it. However, perhaps these powers will be developed in his or her later years at Hogwarts and therefore not present themselves to the hat upon the child's sorting." Albus responded. "Anything is worth a try though, thank you for the suggestion, Penny."
"As well as that, if you are asking the Sorting Hat to predict who may become the next Voldemort or see who will have dark powers then you may as well just point the finger at any new member of my House straight off." Severus said becoming annoyed at the suspected slander that his House was receiving yet again. He thought that perhaps a change of ethics within Slytherin House should be aspired to this year and made a note to himself to do some serious thinking on the matter.
"Not at all, Severus. Slytherin House may house many potential dark wizards and witches but that does not mean that any of them will follow their dark powers. Take Harry Potter for instance, he had great potential to be the next Dark Lord as his powers were certainly strong enough but he chose not to follow that path. In turn he also defeated the Dark Lord." Albus countered. "And you should know how many Death Eaters there were from a House other than Slytherin, Severus."
"Yes, but no-one can deny that the vast majority of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself were all products of Slytherin House." Trelawney muttered glaring over at Severus accusingly. Severus picked up on her meaning quite clearly and was enraged by her audacity.
"Quite a few of Voldemort's followers were Ravenclaws I might point out, Sybil!" Severus spat back at Trelawney, since this had been her old house. "And what would you know of the politics within Slytherin when you're stuck up in that bloody tower of yours twenty-four hours a day?"
"Severus did his best in a hard situation. He could not change the views of his students when he was attempting to maintain his cover as a spy for the Order." Hermione defended her fiancé to the staff. "Even I understood that when I was a Gryffindor student here."
Severus breathed in slowly before speaking again. "I do agree that the Slytherin's have been getting away with far too much, however."
"It's all down to you, Severus. Molly-coddling students such as Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Dennison, Goshawk and the Flints, all who turned out to be Death Eaters in the short term and lost their lives fighting on the Dark side." Minerva contributed in an accusing manner.
"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Minerva." Severus spoke, acid clear in his voice. He took every student of his who turned to the Dark as a personal insult. "However, if you would let me finish I was going to say that things will be changing this year now that I do not have to keep undercover, and I will be far more liberal with the punishments in order to pull my House back into line." Severus told them, still angry that he was being held responsible for this potential new threat.
Albus decided it was time for a change of topic before all hell broke loose. He held up his hands for silence. "Perhaps we shall move on, just be mindful everyone, please, and Severus, perhaps we should discuss what you have in mind before the start of term?"
Severus moved uneasily in his seat and Hermione squeezed his hand in understanding, he simply nodded to her in acknowledgement.
"Now, we have three teaching positions left to fill and one of Caretaker as well." Everyone looked sad as they remembered the staff that they had lost in the Great Battle, as it was now being called. "The new caretaker will be arriving this afternoon; many of you will remember him from school."
"Who is it, Albus" Sara Sprout asked.
"Neville Longbottom." There was an audible groan from Severus as he covered his eyes with his free hand, the other one still being held by Hermione, and Hermione smiled. Sara Sprout clapped excitedly; Neville had always been very good at Herbology and one of her favourite students.
Neville had improved since he had left school but he had well and truly managed to never even go near another cauldron and still seemed to remain almost Squib-like in terms of his actual magical ability. Still he should be quite good at cleaning up messes with or without magic since he had had so many opportunities to practice whilst in Potions class if nowhere else.
"Also," Albus moved on choosing to ignore Severus. "Our new Flying Instructor will be Ronald Weasley. He has decided to take a break from refereeing Quidditch matches in order to fill a position at Hogwarts."
Hermione looked up and clapped with a huge smile on her face. She hadn't seen Ron in a while and it would be great having him back at Hogwarts with his wife, Lavendar Brown and their three-year old daughter, Emily. They had lost contact with Harry after the war had ended, he had decided that some travelling would be in order and had taken off on his broom one night, asking that they give him some space and hadn't been heard from since- that had been almost two years ago. They knew he was alright though as the owls they sent to him had all come back empty-clawed, having delivered their mail.
"Ron and his family will be staying in Hagrid's old hut. It has been extended and fully refurbished. It's very nice for a young family such as Ron's." Albus told them. "The new Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be Lee Jordan, and he will arrive on Wednesday. Therefore, we are left needing the following positions filled. Professor of Charms, Professor of History of Magic since Binns had decided to move over to the Other Side after all this time. We need a new Muggle Studies professor and a new Head of House for Ravenclaw." Albus said reading off a list in front of him.
"What do you have in mind Albus, taking into consideration that term starts next week?" Poppy Pomfrey asked, she had maintained silence up until now.
"I have looked for anyone suitably qualified to take these positions but have failed to come up with anyone who is available. However, I do have my mind set on a new History of Magic teacher who will qualify at Easter from Edinburgh University of Magic, his name is Michael Creevy who I'm sure some of you may remember as the younger brother of Colin and Dennis. Michael is most interested in more recent history and has written a couple of books with many photographs- since this is his other passion. But he is also taking Magical History as a major and Muggle History as a minor subject. He has been offered the post already and has accepted but until then the position does need to be filled." Albus paused.
"The only people suitable for the other posts are already in employment and are receiving a far greater wage than this school is able to offer. So, I've decided that a little shuffling about is in order, which will hopefully keep all of you interested more so as well." Albus stopped, taking in the looks on the faces of his staff. "I want you all to teach years three to seven in your own respective subjects."
"What about the first and second years, Albus?" Sprout asked puzzled.
"Well, here's where the shuffle comes into play." Albus replied. "I want you all to choose another subject to teach the first and second years in. The choice is yours. This should give everyone an extra class slot for their own personal studies and research, giving you a total of five free periods per week. Any extra slot for years three to seven in those subjects with no teacher so far will be assigned on a voluntary basis." Albus paused and looked around, all eyes were on him. "We will break for a short recess to allow you all to think and chat amongst yourselves." Albus waved his hands and several trays of tea, crumpets and cakes appeared before his staff, which he immediately dug into.
Everyone sat in silence for a short time before starting to chat about each others subjects finding out what it was like to teach it and wondering if they should take up the challenge themselves.
"Any ideas as to what you'd like to teach, Severus?" Hermione asked, although she knew the answer before he even started. He gave her a wry smile.
"Hmm, I thought perhaps Defence Against the Dark Arts." Hermione chuckled at that. "And you, my love?"
"Well, I thought perhaps Potions. Would you trust your lab and classroom to me?" Hermione asked him.
"Of course, and only you." Severus told her. "But."
"But?" Hermione asked.
"You have to promise to give the first years that traditional speech of mine." Severus chuckled. Hermione lightly punched him on the arm.
"I can't do it, Severus. I don't have the voice for it." She said chuckling and shaking her head. "I will however, be hard on them from the word go, I do understand the importance of order in the classroom, especially a Potions classroom." Hermione told him, and he nodded his approval.
Several minutes passed while everyone helped themselves to tea and crumpets while talking before Albus called the meeting to order once again. "Okay, everybody! May I have your answers please? Severus?"
"Defence Against the Dark Arts, Albus." Severus told him.
Albus chuckled. "Of course, Severus. You will finally get your chance. Hermione?"
"Potions, Headmaster."
"Sara?" Albus moved on after making a note of the previous two teachers' requests.
"Care of Magical Creatures"
"Remus?"
"Well, it can't very well be Astronomy unless a cure for lycanthropy has been found that I don't know about. so it'd better be History of Magic until the new teacher arrives." Remus told them trying to make light of the fact he turned into a werewolf for three nights per month.
"Minerva?"
"Arithmancy, Albus." Hermione smiled at that, she couldn't think of anyone she'd trust more with her first and second year classes.
"Sybil?" Everyone held their breaths hoping that their subject wouldn't be left in the hands of this charlatan woman. Severus was immensely pleased she would be nowhere near his dungeons at least.
"The Fates have spoken to me and my talents are best suited to the subject of Astronomy." Sinistra cursed the so-called Fates and pasted a false smile to her face that did not reach her eyes.
"Lee Jordan would be best suited to Herbology I think and Ron Weasley to Charms." Albus spoke for them as they were not present. "If they'd like to change then they can always do so." He then turned to Morag and asked her.
"I believe I should re-focus on making Ancient Runes part of the subject choice, Albus. Unless you need me elsewhere I will be able to offer the subject for fourth years upwards."
"Yes, that would be beneficial, Morag. Thank you." Albus responded brightly.
"What about the subjects with no teachers, and I don't believe Transfiguration has been chosen either, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"Or Divination." Sybil intoned from her darkened corner.
"I will teach Transfiguration, Minerva. It will be nice to be back in the classroom and I think I may have fun with Divination as well." He chuckled lightly at everyone's faces. "e chuckledHHHowever we still have Muggle Studies first years to seventh years to fill, History of Magic years third to seventh years and Charms years third to seventh years. Do I have any volunteers for extra classes?" Dumbledore asked looking around.
"I'll take first and second year Muggle studies, Albus." Hermione spoke up. "And could Ron not take more of the Charms classes since he will only have first years in flying lessons and Quidditch matches to referee?"
"I think Ron could manage first to fifth years, and Lavendar his wife could take six to seventh years." Minerva suggested, Albus nodded his approval.
"So that's just History and Muggle Studies to cover." Albus updated them.
"Lavendar was always interested in Muggle Studies as well, and I'm sure she could cope with a few small classes in that subject." Hermione suggested. "And Neville was quite good a History of Magic."
"Okay, thank you all for you suggestions and help filling in the different posts. I think the next year will prove to be an interesting one. Does anybody have any questions?" Albus asked.
"We still need to assign a Head for Ravenclaw House, Albus." Minerva reminded him.
Albus thought, it should really be a Ravenclaw to take over the position and the only two on staff were Professor Trelawney and Madam Clearwater. "Professor Trelawney woul.."
"No, Albus, the Fates have informed me that I am needed elsewhere this year." Sybil interrupted the Headmaster as quickly as she could discern the track his thoughts were on, and the fact she would have to leave her tower for even longer periods of time.
Albus secretly was very relieved and turned to Penelope Clearwater. "I know it has never been done, Penny but would you like to have the position of Head of Ravenclaw House on top of you duties in the library?" Penelope's face lit up.
"I would love to, Albus. Thank you." She agreed very pleased with herself.
"Then this meeting is finished. I will need to see some lesson plans for all of your new classes but please try to enjoy the rest of your days and do not forget about the celebratory feast this evening in honour of Severus and Hermione's engagement." With that everyone filed out of the room muttering congratulations once again to the happy couple.
Chapter One
"Severus, will you for Merlin's sake please sit down!" Hermione Granger shouted exasperated at him for he was driving her up the proverbial wall. Severus had been pacing back and forth in front of the fire quite a lot lately and Hermione had finally just about had enough. "What is wrong with you, Severus? You've been pacing a lot lately. I want you to either let me read in peace or I'm leaving now for my own chambers where I can read without having you stomping up and down like some overgrown bloody bat!" She said, anger clearly etched in her face and exhaling loudly.
Severus glared half-heartedly back at her before slumping down into the armchair opposite her, sighing deeply and for once not rising to the bait. "Talk to me, Severus. Tell me what's wrong." Hermione pleaded leaning forward with her book half shut, index finger marking the page she was on and looking at him intently for answers. Severus just slightly shook his head and sat in more quiet thought so she sat back with her book again re- reading the paragraph she'd been trying to get through for the last ten minutes.
"Hermione?" Severus Snape softly called from his chair a few moments later. They were sat by the fire in his chambers within the dungeons of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They had been in Severus' chambers since breakfast simply taking a supposedly quiet half hour before they would have to traipse off up to the staff meeting Dumbledore had arranged. It was one week before the start of term and several staff positions had yet to be filled, which was a major bone of contention for the whole faculty right now. It was thought that teachers may never be found since so many qualified witches and wizards had lost their lives in the final battle with Voldemort and his Death Eaters almost two years previously. Last year several temporary teachers had been found but they had all left for pastures new- taking up positions at other learning institutes and within the Ministry of Magic itself instead. Some, however, simply had decided that now was finally the time to raise a family, and so would not leave their homes in order to live in a boarding school for ten months of the year.
"Yes, Severus," Hermione said looking up from her book once again and hoping that this time he would get whatever it was off his chest because she was so close to getting up and walking out, leaving him to stew about whatever it was in peace.
Severus got up and moved across the hearth rug to sit beside her on the two- seater leather couch. Hermione put the book down on her lap finally giving up on reading it as Severus turned to face her taking one of her hands lightly in his. He stared directly into her eyes, never wavering his gaze; his facial expression not quite enough to give anything away. Hermione stared back with question in her eyes seeing a glint in his as the orange flames of the fire reflected off them.
Severus was just sitting there looking at her, not moving a muscle and the tension was mounting to an unbearable level when suddenly he spoke, breaking the silence. "We have been together for almost a year now, ever since you came back to Hogwarts to teach." He stated matter-of-factly while he ensured that he had her undivided attention.
"Yes?" She said sarcastically looking back at him, getting lost in his deep dark eyes. She was aware of how long they'd been together since she had been a deciding factor in the start of their relationship as Severus had seemed to want to remain celibate for the rest of his life. She loved this man with all her heart, he had changed after the final battle but he was still his stern snarky self around others. With Hermione though he was usually totally different, he had seemed to dote on her and would do anything for her, not at all what you would expect from Severus Snape. However, the last two weeks had not been too good at all. Severus had been lost in thought quite frequently, refusing to talk about whatever was on his mind and being rather abrupt on occasions. Sometimes he had avoided Hermione for practically a whole day saying he was too busy with the new curriculum and preparing for classes. He would send Hermione away and never say when he would be free again. They had had a couple of arguments, which were not uncommon occurrences for them but they were hurtful nonetheless, and then of course there was his incessant pacing. This morning had been the first time they had spent any length of time together for over a week now, and Hermione was becoming nervous that perhaps Severus had decided to call off their relationship. 'All good things must come to an end,' Hermione thought reluctantly as she felt the first prickle of tears come to her eyes and fought to stop them from showing.
"You are the most important thing in my life, Hermione." Severus told her after a long pause. He knew what he wanted to say but it was hard to simply come out and say it and this was mightily frustrating for him. He had wanted to say this for the last two weeks. longer if he really thought about it but he couldn't bring himself to say it or find the right moment for that matter.
"Oh, Severus, you know that you are the most important thing in my life as well but these last two weeks have been awful to tell the truth." Hermione said looking at him in confusion and running her free hand softly down his left cheek. Usually Snape got straight to the point and said what was on his mind. "What's wrong, Severus? Have I done something to offend you or annoy you? Tell me, Severus, this isn't like you." Hermione said becoming more nervous by the second. She looked down at her closed book, not wanting to see his face when he finally told her he was calling a halt to their relationship. She felt it would kill her if he said this, she would most definitely have to leave Hogwarts and work somewhere else, for she couldn't be around him knowing that he did not love her.
"No, you have not offended me in any way, Hermione." Severus told her quickly. "I don't want you to ever think that."
"Then what is it, Severus? Please tell me." She begged him; she didn't think she could bear this for much longer, her emotions could not be held back indefinitely.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. now or never, he thought. "Hermione." He said again, gently taking her chin in his other free hand and making her look at him in the eye again before releasing her.
"Severus?" She replied meekly.
"Hermione. would you do me the honour of. of becoming my wife?" Snape asked, fear of rejection immediately creeping in after he'd said it. He was still insecure about their relationship even though they had been together for nearly a year now, and this insecurity increased when Hermione's eyes went wide. She was shocked, absolutely floored. This seemed so out of the blue, especially after the way their relationship had been over the last two weeks but yet, it felt so right at the same time. She opened her mouth to speak but Severus beat her to it. "It's okay; I don't expect an answer straight away but."
"Yes, I will, Severus. I love you so much." Hermione said, not having to think very long at all about it. It was Severus' turn to be shocked for he truly had expected a rejection after the way he had been behaving lately.
"You will?" Severus asked; a smile creeping onto his face as her answer began to sink in.
"Yes, I will." She said nodding and smiling brightly, tears of joy coming to her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him tenderly on the lips.
"Are you sure, Hermione?" Severus asked pulling away slightly. "I mean, the last two weeks."
"Are in the past, Severus." Hermione assured him, placing a finger to his lips to silence him. "And besides, the last ten months have been spectacular so my decision is based on those." Severus moved closer to her on the couch and captured her lips with his again. Moving into a tight embrace he deepened the kiss running his tongue along her bottom lip to gain access to her mouth. Hermione opened her mouth and they deepened the kiss for a short while.
"Oh, Hermione. Something I forgot." Severus said breaking their contact, getting up off the couch and moving towards his desk. She followed his movements with her eyes and saw him opening up the top drawer and pulling out a small black box. He came back over to the couch and sat down next to her. "This is an engagement ring I have had in my possession for around two months now." Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise and watching him intently. "Well, I've wanted to ask you to marry me for a long time now but I just couldn't."
"Well, you should have just asked me, Severus." Hermione told him. "I would have said yes." Severus smiled at that confession.
"Hermione, I thought you would reject me and I didn't want to force you into anything you weren't ready for." He opened the box and presented the ring to Hermione.
"Oh! Severus, it's beautiful." Hermione gasped as he took it out of its enclosure and pulled her hand towards him gently. "I don't know how to thank you, Severus. it's. it's. breathtaking." She said lost for words. The ring was white gold with an engraved serpent and griffin surrounding the most exquisite stone set in the middle. The stone was the most fascinating she had ever seen, it was not one colour in particular and seemed to be floating above the ring itself- not attached but yet totally secure. It changed from a green to silver to a red to gold, encompassing all of the house colours from their respective academic backgrounds. "I've never seen a stone like this, Severus. What is it?" Hermione asked him admiring the workmanship.
"The stone is not naturally occurring, Hermione." Severus told her. "I made it myself from a potion I had been working on for four months. I finally finished it and sent it off to a jeweller in Diagon Alley to be mounted onto the white gold ring itself." He glanced at her face and was so happy to see that she adored the ring; he had been worried it would not be pleasing to her eye due to its uniqueness. "And before you ask, yes I'll let you see my notes regarding the potion." Severus said smiling as she chuckled at how well he knew her. Since she'd graduated from Hogwarts, now seven years previously, her love of learning had simply increased and she was still very much the book worm.
"Can I wear it, Severus?" Hermione asked fully aware that Severus was still shy about public displays of his love life.
"Of course, Hermione." He said placing the ring onto her finger where it magically altered its size to fit perfectly.
"What about anyone noticing it?" Hermione asked.
"Let them, my love. I want everyone to know that you are now my fiancé. After all, everyone will know soon enough when we are married." Severus told her. The staff was aware of a relationship going on between the two of the Hogwarts teachers and secretly they were very pleased that Severus and Hermione seemed so happy together after all they had been through during the war years and Snape for even longer.
"Should we announce it at the staff meeting?" Hermione asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, let's do that. Let the staff get over the shock before the start of term." Severus said. "Speaking of the staff meeting, shall we get going? We only have five minutes in which to get there."
"Oh, right." Hermione said getting up from the couch and helping Severus up as well. "And, Severus, thank you so much." Hermione said embracing him and kissing him deeply again. Severus embraced her back tightly and they sank into a momentum that would prove to bring about all sorts of other reactions unless they stopped immediately. Severus pulled away.
"Hermione," He spoke, his voice constricted and the start of his erection very difficult not to respond to. He cleared his throat. "We had better go now or I won't be able to keep my hands to myself and we'd never get there."
Hermione blushed and reached for her cloak, which was on the back of the couch. Since it was still the holidays teachers were not expected to wear their robes so Hermione had dressed in a beige coloured Muggle Oxford shirt and pair of black jeans, while Severus had managed to forgo his many buttoned blazer and left his dress as simply his usual black trousers and a heavy dark green shirt, it was almost black, with loose black cloak on top. She clasped his hand tightly. They left the dungeons and headed off to the staffroom.
"Was that what was wrong with you these last few weeks, Severus?" Hermione asked as it suddenly dawned on her that she might have an explanation for his strange behaviour. They made their way up the stairs to the ground floor of the school.
"I was nervous, Hermione. I didn't know how to broach the subject and I thought you would reject me." Severus told her as they reached the top of the stairs and continued on up to the staff room on the second floor, still holding hands and carefully avoiding walking through the Grey Lady- the Hufflepuff House ghost.
Hermione stopped abruptly and turned to face her fiancé. "Promise me Severus that you will talk to me if you have something bothering you. It's pointless stewing on a problem when you can talk to me."
"I will, Hermione. I promise." Severus said moving closer to her and kissing her on the lips once again. They heard someone clearing their throat and broke apart quickly as though they had been first years caught in the act. Turning around to face the intruder they saw that it was the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
"Good morning Severus, Hermione. I trust you are both well?" Albus said amused by the guilty expressions on both of their faces.
"Quite well, Headmaster, thank you." Hermione replied, smiling sheepishly.
"Yes, Albus." Severus told him.
Dumbledore looked down at Hermione's hand, which was still clasped in Severus', their fingers entwined. He noticed the sparkle coming from Hermione's finger and smiled to himself. He was sure that they'd be announcing something very soon. "Shall we then?" Dumbledore said gesturing to the door on their left. "I believe we are the last to arrive." He cleared his throat and leaned towards them slightly and conspiratorially. "Congratulations by the way and will you be announcing it before or after the meeting?"
Severus and Hermione just looked at each other and then said "Before," in unison. Dumbledore chuckled and opened the door to the staff room, allowing the two of them to precede him before entering himself.
The room was rather noisy as all of the teachers chatted amongst themselves but slowly quietened down when the Headmaster arrived. Several chairs were empty due to the still depleted staffing level and the ones that were occupied were all forming a circle around the fire place, which was burning pleasantly. Severus and Hermione took seats next to each other by the fire with Professor Sprout on one side and the Headmaster on the other.
"If I could draw this meeting together please I believe there is a little announcement before we actually begin to discuss the more mundane of our problems." Dumbledore said gesturing to his colleagues. Hermione and Severus both smiled at each other before Severus nodded in her direction letting her know she could tell everyone.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Severus and I are engaged to be married." She said holding up her hand and showing off the ring with a huge grin erupting on her face. There was a round of applause and congratulations from all of the assembled staff.
"Oh, what a beautiful ring." Professor Sprout gasped from beside Hermione, peering over the arm of her chair for a closer look.
"Severus made the stone himself." Hermione said. There were a few gasps at that and the Headmaster chuckled at Severus as he rolled his eyes in embarrassment.
"Well, congratulations once again, Hermione and Severus. I think a celebratory feast is in order for this evening. I shall inform the house elves after this meeting." Dumbledore said. "So, shall we continue on as we have quite a bit to get through?" With that everyone calmed down and the meeting was in session.
"Okay, for those of you who have been away for the summer, welcome back." Dumbledore started the meeting glancing at each of his colleagues in turn and smiling. "I have a few announcements to make to start with. The new cohort of first years is going to be quite large this year and because of this I have decided that Minerva should focus her attentions solely on her role as Transfiguration teacher and Deputy Headmistress."
Minerva nodded her head, it was quite clear that she was already aware of this and was happy about the situation. "Professor McGonagall will be now housed in the South Tower adjoining the fourth floor and her office will be one level down from my own, which if you visit me you will note that the Griffin at the base of my tower now stops at two different levels. My tower has been magically given another floor you see. So, you will have to tell the Griffin which floor you want.
"In light of Minerva's change in position we therefore, have an opening for the Head of Gryffindor House and I would like to offer that position to our Arithmancy teacher, Hermione Granger." Dumbledore looked directly at Hermione with a twinkle in his eye, hoping she would accept his offer.
Hermione's eyes went wide and she nodded eagerly. Severus squeezed her hand and smiled proudly at her. "Thank you so much, Albus. Of course I will accept."
"Excellent. Minerva of course will be on hand for any queries regarding the running of Gryffindor but I'm sure you will infuse your own talents into the House and settle into the role fairly quickly, Hermione." He smiled again. "Secondly, I do believe that a new dark force may be rising soon and I want everyone to be on the look out." Everyone in the room gasped and Severus spoke up.
"Albus, what do you know?" He asked very seriously and with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. Surely they could have a little longer of a reprieve before the world was cast back into darkness yet again?
"Only a feeling, Severus but it's the same feeling I had when Tom Riddle was a student of mine in this school. I do believe that perhaps another student may be forced onto a similar path to that of Riddle, and I want you all to be vigilant. I do not want someone like Tom Riddle to be produced from this school yet again, especially since we have recently cleansed the world of Voldemort." Albus said gravely.
"We always knew the world would never be cleaned of all the bad wizards, Albus." Morag Sinistra the Astronomy teacher stated from across the room.
"Yes, but we must try to at least stop those bad wizards from becoming anywhere near like Voldemort or Grindelwald for that matter." Minerva countered.
"Do you believe it has anything to do with the Death Eaters who escaped, Headmaster?" Remus Lupin, the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher spoke up, glancing quickly over at Severus as well as Dumbledore with worry etched onto his face.
"There are no active Death Eaters left since Lucius Malfoy was taken out of commission." Severus said, remembering the very killing curse that had been emitted from his wand in order to do the deed. "However, I do know that a few of the least talented Death Eaters managed to keep out of Azkaban. I believe the Ministry have forced them out into the Muggle World and confiscated their wands?" Severus asked, looking to Dumbledore for confirmation. Dumbledore simply nodded as it was to the best of his knowledge as well.
"Who do you believe the new threat is, Albus?" Professor Trelawney asked in her whispery voice from her chair that was set back from all of the others and partially obscured by shadows. Most of the staff rolled their eyes wondering how this woman was still in teaching since she was grossly incompetent in her field.
"You mean you don't have any ideas, Sybil?" Minerva asked sarcastically putting on an air of bewilderment at the fact that there was something Sybil didn't know from reading her tea leaves.
"I have not yet been gifted with any kind of vision regarding this turn of events, Minerva." Trelawney countered in her defence. Minerva just huffed and ignored her, as was her standard practice anyway.
"I believe the potential dark wizard or witch for that matter will be joining us this year at Hogwarts." The Headmaster told them. "Now of course I do not expect much to happen until they have graduated but I do want to steer him or her away from the interest at the very least."
"Well then, can we not do something in order to screen the new first years that join us this year?" Penelope Clearwater, who had taken over as librarian from Madam Pince after the war asked. "Perhaps ask the Sorting Hat to sift through whoever has dark powers or something? I mean with such a large intake of students it will be hard enough for us to keep an eye on everyone as it is."
"That's a good idea, Penny. Do you think that it will be able to discern anything like that Albus? After all, is an eleven year old likely to want to aspire to such heights at such a young age?" Hermione asked.
"The Sorting Hat may be able to help, I will ask it. However, perhaps these powers will be developed in his or her later years at Hogwarts and therefore not present themselves to the hat upon the child's sorting." Albus responded. "Anything is worth a try though, thank you for the suggestion, Penny."
"As well as that, if you are asking the Sorting Hat to predict who may become the next Voldemort or see who will have dark powers then you may as well just point the finger at any new member of my House straight off." Severus said becoming annoyed at the suspected slander that his House was receiving yet again. He thought that perhaps a change of ethics within Slytherin House should be aspired to this year and made a note to himself to do some serious thinking on the matter.
"Not at all, Severus. Slytherin House may house many potential dark wizards and witches but that does not mean that any of them will follow their dark powers. Take Harry Potter for instance, he had great potential to be the next Dark Lord as his powers were certainly strong enough but he chose not to follow that path. In turn he also defeated the Dark Lord." Albus countered. "And you should know how many Death Eaters there were from a House other than Slytherin, Severus."
"Yes, but no-one can deny that the vast majority of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself were all products of Slytherin House." Trelawney muttered glaring over at Severus accusingly. Severus picked up on her meaning quite clearly and was enraged by her audacity.
"Quite a few of Voldemort's followers were Ravenclaws I might point out, Sybil!" Severus spat back at Trelawney, since this had been her old house. "And what would you know of the politics within Slytherin when you're stuck up in that bloody tower of yours twenty-four hours a day?"
"Severus did his best in a hard situation. He could not change the views of his students when he was attempting to maintain his cover as a spy for the Order." Hermione defended her fiancé to the staff. "Even I understood that when I was a Gryffindor student here."
Severus breathed in slowly before speaking again. "I do agree that the Slytherin's have been getting away with far too much, however."
"It's all down to you, Severus. Molly-coddling students such as Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Dennison, Goshawk and the Flints, all who turned out to be Death Eaters in the short term and lost their lives fighting on the Dark side." Minerva contributed in an accusing manner.
"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Minerva." Severus spoke, acid clear in his voice. He took every student of his who turned to the Dark as a personal insult. "However, if you would let me finish I was going to say that things will be changing this year now that I do not have to keep undercover, and I will be far more liberal with the punishments in order to pull my House back into line." Severus told them, still angry that he was being held responsible for this potential new threat.
Albus decided it was time for a change of topic before all hell broke loose. He held up his hands for silence. "Perhaps we shall move on, just be mindful everyone, please, and Severus, perhaps we should discuss what you have in mind before the start of term?"
Severus moved uneasily in his seat and Hermione squeezed his hand in understanding, he simply nodded to her in acknowledgement.
"Now, we have three teaching positions left to fill and one of Caretaker as well." Everyone looked sad as they remembered the staff that they had lost in the Great Battle, as it was now being called. "The new caretaker will be arriving this afternoon; many of you will remember him from school."
"Who is it, Albus" Sara Sprout asked.
"Neville Longbottom." There was an audible groan from Severus as he covered his eyes with his free hand, the other one still being held by Hermione, and Hermione smiled. Sara Sprout clapped excitedly; Neville had always been very good at Herbology and one of her favourite students.
Neville had improved since he had left school but he had well and truly managed to never even go near another cauldron and still seemed to remain almost Squib-like in terms of his actual magical ability. Still he should be quite good at cleaning up messes with or without magic since he had had so many opportunities to practice whilst in Potions class if nowhere else.
"Also," Albus moved on choosing to ignore Severus. "Our new Flying Instructor will be Ronald Weasley. He has decided to take a break from refereeing Quidditch matches in order to fill a position at Hogwarts."
Hermione looked up and clapped with a huge smile on her face. She hadn't seen Ron in a while and it would be great having him back at Hogwarts with his wife, Lavendar Brown and their three-year old daughter, Emily. They had lost contact with Harry after the war had ended, he had decided that some travelling would be in order and had taken off on his broom one night, asking that they give him some space and hadn't been heard from since- that had been almost two years ago. They knew he was alright though as the owls they sent to him had all come back empty-clawed, having delivered their mail.
"Ron and his family will be staying in Hagrid's old hut. It has been extended and fully refurbished. It's very nice for a young family such as Ron's." Albus told them. "The new Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be Lee Jordan, and he will arrive on Wednesday. Therefore, we are left needing the following positions filled. Professor of Charms, Professor of History of Magic since Binns had decided to move over to the Other Side after all this time. We need a new Muggle Studies professor and a new Head of House for Ravenclaw." Albus said reading off a list in front of him.
"What do you have in mind Albus, taking into consideration that term starts next week?" Poppy Pomfrey asked, she had maintained silence up until now.
"I have looked for anyone suitably qualified to take these positions but have failed to come up with anyone who is available. However, I do have my mind set on a new History of Magic teacher who will qualify at Easter from Edinburgh University of Magic, his name is Michael Creevy who I'm sure some of you may remember as the younger brother of Colin and Dennis. Michael is most interested in more recent history and has written a couple of books with many photographs- since this is his other passion. But he is also taking Magical History as a major and Muggle History as a minor subject. He has been offered the post already and has accepted but until then the position does need to be filled." Albus paused.
"The only people suitable for the other posts are already in employment and are receiving a far greater wage than this school is able to offer. So, I've decided that a little shuffling about is in order, which will hopefully keep all of you interested more so as well." Albus stopped, taking in the looks on the faces of his staff. "I want you all to teach years three to seven in your own respective subjects."
"What about the first and second years, Albus?" Sprout asked puzzled.
"Well, here's where the shuffle comes into play." Albus replied. "I want you all to choose another subject to teach the first and second years in. The choice is yours. This should give everyone an extra class slot for their own personal studies and research, giving you a total of five free periods per week. Any extra slot for years three to seven in those subjects with no teacher so far will be assigned on a voluntary basis." Albus paused and looked around, all eyes were on him. "We will break for a short recess to allow you all to think and chat amongst yourselves." Albus waved his hands and several trays of tea, crumpets and cakes appeared before his staff, which he immediately dug into.
Everyone sat in silence for a short time before starting to chat about each others subjects finding out what it was like to teach it and wondering if they should take up the challenge themselves.
"Any ideas as to what you'd like to teach, Severus?" Hermione asked, although she knew the answer before he even started. He gave her a wry smile.
"Hmm, I thought perhaps Defence Against the Dark Arts." Hermione chuckled at that. "And you, my love?"
"Well, I thought perhaps Potions. Would you trust your lab and classroom to me?" Hermione asked him.
"Of course, and only you." Severus told her. "But."
"But?" Hermione asked.
"You have to promise to give the first years that traditional speech of mine." Severus chuckled. Hermione lightly punched him on the arm.
"I can't do it, Severus. I don't have the voice for it." She said chuckling and shaking her head. "I will however, be hard on them from the word go, I do understand the importance of order in the classroom, especially a Potions classroom." Hermione told him, and he nodded his approval.
Several minutes passed while everyone helped themselves to tea and crumpets while talking before Albus called the meeting to order once again. "Okay, everybody! May I have your answers please? Severus?"
"Defence Against the Dark Arts, Albus." Severus told him.
Albus chuckled. "Of course, Severus. You will finally get your chance. Hermione?"
"Potions, Headmaster."
"Sara?" Albus moved on after making a note of the previous two teachers' requests.
"Care of Magical Creatures"
"Remus?"
"Well, it can't very well be Astronomy unless a cure for lycanthropy has been found that I don't know about. so it'd better be History of Magic until the new teacher arrives." Remus told them trying to make light of the fact he turned into a werewolf for three nights per month.
"Minerva?"
"Arithmancy, Albus." Hermione smiled at that, she couldn't think of anyone she'd trust more with her first and second year classes.
"Sybil?" Everyone held their breaths hoping that their subject wouldn't be left in the hands of this charlatan woman. Severus was immensely pleased she would be nowhere near his dungeons at least.
"The Fates have spoken to me and my talents are best suited to the subject of Astronomy." Sinistra cursed the so-called Fates and pasted a false smile to her face that did not reach her eyes.
"Lee Jordan would be best suited to Herbology I think and Ron Weasley to Charms." Albus spoke for them as they were not present. "If they'd like to change then they can always do so." He then turned to Morag and asked her.
"I believe I should re-focus on making Ancient Runes part of the subject choice, Albus. Unless you need me elsewhere I will be able to offer the subject for fourth years upwards."
"Yes, that would be beneficial, Morag. Thank you." Albus responded brightly.
"What about the subjects with no teachers, and I don't believe Transfiguration has been chosen either, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"Or Divination." Sybil intoned from her darkened corner.
"I will teach Transfiguration, Minerva. It will be nice to be back in the classroom and I think I may have fun with Divination as well." He chuckled lightly at everyone's faces. "e chuckledHHHowever we still have Muggle Studies first years to seventh years to fill, History of Magic years third to seventh years and Charms years third to seventh years. Do I have any volunteers for extra classes?" Dumbledore asked looking around.
"I'll take first and second year Muggle studies, Albus." Hermione spoke up. "And could Ron not take more of the Charms classes since he will only have first years in flying lessons and Quidditch matches to referee?"
"I think Ron could manage first to fifth years, and Lavendar his wife could take six to seventh years." Minerva suggested, Albus nodded his approval.
"So that's just History and Muggle Studies to cover." Albus updated them.
"Lavendar was always interested in Muggle Studies as well, and I'm sure she could cope with a few small classes in that subject." Hermione suggested. "And Neville was quite good a History of Magic."
"Okay, thank you all for you suggestions and help filling in the different posts. I think the next year will prove to be an interesting one. Does anybody have any questions?" Albus asked.
"We still need to assign a Head for Ravenclaw House, Albus." Minerva reminded him.
Albus thought, it should really be a Ravenclaw to take over the position and the only two on staff were Professor Trelawney and Madam Clearwater. "Professor Trelawney woul.."
"No, Albus, the Fates have informed me that I am needed elsewhere this year." Sybil interrupted the Headmaster as quickly as she could discern the track his thoughts were on, and the fact she would have to leave her tower for even longer periods of time.
Albus secretly was very relieved and turned to Penelope Clearwater. "I know it has never been done, Penny but would you like to have the position of Head of Ravenclaw House on top of you duties in the library?" Penelope's face lit up.
"I would love to, Albus. Thank you." She agreed very pleased with herself.
"Then this meeting is finished. I will need to see some lesson plans for all of your new classes but please try to enjoy the rest of your days and do not forget about the celebratory feast this evening in honour of Severus and Hermione's engagement." With that everyone filed out of the room muttering congratulations once again to the happy couple.