Inky Fingers

She gazed out of the window, transfixed by the sight. Those long, lean legs. The taut buttocks, pale and gleaming in the moonlight. The look of exaltation on the beak-nosed face as he raised his eyes to the heavens. Did she dare join him this time? She was sure Squirmy would welcome her into the lake, but would Snape? Would he issue her with Detention (down in the dungeons alone with him? Her heart beat faster) or would he turn to her and say "Hermione..."

"Hermione..."

"Hermione, dear - are you away with the fairies today? This is the third time I've called you!" Hermione turned to see the concerned face of Esmerelda Bagshott, curator of the Munsreach and Districts Community Museum (and, privately, a Research Witch of no small fame among the Wizarding Community) who was her employer. Most Muggles thought of Esme as a slightly eccentric but likeable old duck who certainly knew all there was to know about the district's history and was always happy to Acquire old family items, oddities and books when a local was in need of a few pounds. They had no idea of the *real* reasons that Esme liked to acquire the old things from a community that was once almost completely populated by Wizards (not that any of the Muggle families hereabouts were aware of that history), but they were happy enough that she did.

"Sorry, Esme. I keep drifting for some reason. Was there something you wanted?"

"I've just had an owl from my old friend Irma Pince. You knew her from Hogwarts, didn't you dear - she'en ten the Librarian there for many years now. She's been terribly unwell for some time, a legacy of the War, of course. She's finally been convinced that she needs to take a complete break from the library, get out in the fresh air for a time.

"However, she is very concerned about the Library. She needs someone to care for it for her. I suggested that you might be the very person. She remembers you from your time there, naturally. In fact, it was her recommendation that made me take you on in the first place. You know your rare books almost as well as I do now, and your care form ism is second to none. I think you would do well there and she agrees with me.

"So, if you have no objections, she would like to suggest to Albus Dumbledore that you become Caretaker Librarian. Only for a year or so, until she is strong again. It would mean a lot to her to be able to take a complete break without fear that her beloved Library would fall to rack and ruin without her."
rmiormione gazed blankly up at Esme. Returning to Hogwarts had been the last thing she expected. Squirmy was still there ('and Snape' whispered a little voice triumphantly in the back of her mind) and it would be lovely to meet up with many of her old teachers on a more equal footing. While a few of the senior students might remember her, after 5 years most of them would have gone. So, there should be no problems about authority over the students - those who were still there would remember her as a Prefect and Head Girl.

'Who knows?' (whispered that little voice again). 'You might have a chance to watch Snape and Squirmy again.' That one glimpse had fuelled an awful lot of daydreams, a better look should give those fantasies an even more powerful kick...not that she was *interested* in Professor Snape, of course. That hook-nosed, sarcastic greasy git was NOT someone she would consider really sharing a bed with = but it was fun to imagine sometimes...

"I'd hate to leave you in the lurch, Esme. Still, there's no reason we can't continue to collaborate even if I am away for a time. So yes, when you're writing back to Madam Pince, please tell her I'd be delighted to care for the library while she is away if she feels I can be trusted with it."

'YES!!!' exalted that little (traitorous) voice.