A Dark Scenario

Chapter 5 ~ A Bit of News

"I say we should let Snape take up the Defense Against the Dark Arts class," Felton Diddlesby said firmly to the other board members, "and be grateful he isn't claiming the Headmaster position. We did appoint him after all."

"Under duress," board member Swanson Long reminded him.

"That doesn't change the legality of it. If he accepts the teaching position, he'll forfeit his previous claim as Headmaster," Diddlesby replied. "If we turn him away, he could possibly sue us."

"Pffft. I'd think he'd had enough of courts," another member said.

"We can't be certain. All those in favor of returning Severus Snape to the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher say aye," Diddlesby hemmed.

All of the members of the Board of Governers agreed.

"Good. Now, the next order of business. Hm. The application of Hermione Granger as Charms Mistress at Hogwarts. Old Flitwick retired, you know. I've heard through my other sources Miss Granger has also put in an application at the Ministry for the Magical Law Enforcement Department. We can beat the Ministry to the punch if we accept her application now. They are terribly slow in human resources down there."

"Hermione Granger. She's a bit young, isn't she?"

"Oh yes, just a tad younger than Snape was when he was taken on. He did quite well actually. Became a fixture at Hogwarts."

"A dark fixture."

"Still, she didn't graduate properly."

"Oh tosh, Benedict. You know all students who were seventh years at the time of the final battle received their diplomas without finishing the curriculum. It was felt the battle of Hogwarts was as tough an exam as they could get. Survival was a guarantee of graduation."

"Miss Granger wasn't at Hogwarts. She was running about with Potter," another member argued.

"Running about? Is that what you dare call it? She was out saving the wizarding world, Mr. Banyon. Don't you forget that! Besides, Miss Granger's marks were extraordinary. Having a teacher of her caliber at Hogwarts could justify raising tuition just a bit. Parents would gladly pay more for such premiere teaching."

"Maybe she could offset Snape, who could cost the school money. Parents might withdraw their children when they find out he's back."

"This is a distinct possibility although I doubt it will last very long. A Hogwarts education is something very much desired in witches and wizards today. People will get used to the idea of Snape being there. Now, all those in favor of granting Hermione Granger the position of Charms mistress say aye—"

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"Hermione, really," Hermione's mother Jean said, her hands on her hips and scowling as her daughter stomped through the doorway.

Hermione looked at her with a frown.

"What is it, Mum?" she asked with a sigh.

Her mother pointed imperiously to the kitchen door.

"That," she said tightly.

Hermione walked into the kitchen and saw a large barn owl standing on the kitchen table, a parchment attached to its leg. It hooted at her.

"I opened the door to sweep out a little dust and it just flew in here. It tried to bite me when I tried to get the letter and get it out," Jean complained, frowning at the owl.

It lifted its leg as Hermione came closer.

"It tried to bite you, Mum, because the letter is obviously for me. You can't tamper with the owl post just like you aren't supposed to tamper with the regular post," Hermione informed her as she removed the parchment. "Except with the owl post, punishment is much swifter and can be very painful."

The owl snapped its beak at Jean for emphasis.

"You stop that!" Hermione scolded it and the owl hooted at her, then swiveled its head back towards Jean.

"I can't believe it," Hermione said in a low voice.

"What?" her mother asked her.

Hermione looked up at her mum with round eyes, then let out a shriek, nearly scaring her mother to death as she grabbed her by the arms and whirled around with her.

"I'm a teacher! A professor! Mum! I'm going to be teaching at Hogwarts! I'm the new Charms mistress! They've accepted my application!" she cried, a broad smile on her face as she danced around with her mother.

Jean was jerked back and forth and all around by an ecstatic Hermione for almost three minutes before she raced upstairs to start packing.

"I need to get there early and work on my syllabus, make sure I have enough extra wands, get everything in order in the classroom—"

Hermione's excited voice trailed off as she disappeared into her bedroom, throwing open her closet and drawers. She grabbed two large suitcases out of the closet.

Hogwarts. She was going to teach at Hogwarts. Not even Ron's arseholeness could ruin this! It was wonderful! Just wonderful!

Hermione might think her new appointment as Charms mistress was a cause for celebration, but not everyone currently at Hogwarts would agree.

Not in the least.

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Minerva walked hurriedly down to the dungeons, the reply to her question to the Board of Governors in her hand. Snape still held his DADA position. She opened his office and walked straight into his rooms. He was on a ladder, putting his books in place carefully by hand. There were stacks everywhere. It would take a long time to get them in place this way, but he had several weeks before classes began.

Minerva wasn't happy with the news Snape would remain a teacher at Hogwarts, but it was the other news that disturbed her the most. Perhaps Snape would see the conflict and decide it might be better for him to find other employment. That would be the decent thing to do.

Minerva gingerly navigated her way through the towering books and looked up at Snape.

"I've received a reply from the Board," she announced.

Snape continued to shelve his books.

"According to them, you retain your status as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Snape continued to shelve his books.

Minerva was a little incensed at his lack of response.

"I also need to inform you of some rather disturbing news. Hermione Granger has been hired to be the new Charms mistress."

Snape's hand faltered for just a split second before he continued putting away the last few books. He began to descend the ladder.

"I think—I think this could be a conflict of interest," Minerva said, as Snape stepped off the ladder and turned toward her.

"Why?"

Minerva turned red.

"Well, considering what happened between you and Miss Granger, she might feel rather—awkward about your presence here," she explained.

Snape studied Minerva, then picked up another few books and climbed back up the ladder, setting them on a lower shelf. He began placing them again.

Minerva frowned up at him.

"Severus, did you hear me?"

"Yes," he said shortly.

"Well?"

"Well, I heard you, Minerva."

Minerva continued to look up at him. Didn't he understand the magnitude of this? The girl he had violated was coming to Hogwarts to work. Yes, he was cleared of the rape charges but it was clear to the headmistress that Hermione had accepted what happened under duress, which at least meant coercion.

"Severus, what do you think that poor girl is going to think when she sees you here as a fellow staff member?" she demanded.

"I assure you I have no idea, Minerva. I am an Occlumens, but I can't read minds, particularly from afar," he replied, not looking down.

"She's going to be distraught."

Snape didn't say anything.

Minerva sighed. Snape didn't care about anyone's feelings at all. He was still an onerous bastard. He should have received some punishment. It was horrible Hermione would have to deal with seeing him every day.

"You should think about that, Severus," she admonished him.

"Is there anything else, Minerva?"

"No. No, there's not."

Minerva spun and stiffly walked out of his quarters.

Snape continued to shelve his books.

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A/N: Just a little more. I'm getting ready to go to the Laundromat. I haven't been to one in years because I always had a washer and dryer, and I've been going to Chi's house to wash since moving here. Someone sent me ten dollars in a belated Christmas card (thanks J*) and that's what I'm using. I lost my card with my monthly allowance on it, so although it's in the account, I can't access it until I receive a new card. But it will only be a few days. At least if the money's there I won't be bringing in the New Year broke. Not broke and not with a houseful of dirty clothes, towels and bed coverings. You know they say the state you're in when the New Year comes in, will be your state the entire year. So after I come back, I'm going to clean the entire house. Lol. Yeah, I'm superstitious. Anyway, thanks for reading, and in case I don't write anything else today, have a happy New Year. ****