A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 9 ~ Filling a New Position


“Hermione? Hermione!” Jane Granger called up the stairs.

Hermione, who had her face in a book looked up from her bed, clearly irritated.

“Yes, mum?” she called back.

“You have a letter here, from your school,” her mother replied loudly.

Hermione sprang out of bed instantly. A letter from Hogwarts? It was too early for her normal letter. She flung open the door and ran down the stairs. Her mother was waiting at the bottom, holding the letter out. Hermione took it from her, cracking the wax seal and opening the parchment envelope as her mother looked on curiously. A smile crossed Hermione’s face as she read.


Dear Miss Granger,

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been selected to be Head Girl at Hogwarts this term. Your duties will be to assist in maintaining order and administering discipline to your fellow students as well as overseeing the prefects of each house. I sincerely hope you will return to Hogwarts this year as you are greatly needed. The position of Head Girl can be declined, but if you do decide to accept the position you are required to report to Hogwarts immediately to assist in preparation for the returning students. Please report to directly to my office. Your individual password is: Pretty Kitty.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry


Hermione stared at the letter, then let out a whoop.

“Good news, dear?” Jane asked her daughter as Hermione danced about excitedly.

“Great news, mum. I’ve been chosen to be Head Girl this year. It is quite an honor,” Hermione gushed, “But I have to go to the school immediately to help get it ready for returning students.”

Jane’s face fell a bit.

“You’ll be cutting your vacation short, dear?” she asked Hermione.

”Yes. I’ll be leaving immediately, mum,” Hermione replied, not noticing her mother’s disappointment.

All she was thinking was she might be able to do some snooping once she got back to Hogwarts. Head boys and girls had more freedom to move about the castle than regular students, and weren’t watched as closely since they were seen as honest and dependable.

She folded up the parchment, replaced it in the envelope, kissed her mother’s cheek happily and bolted back up the stairs.

“I’m going to pack, mum,” she called back happily, disappearing into her room and closing the door.

Jane looked after her, wishing Hermione wouldn’t go back to Hogwarts. But she was almost eighteen now, and able to make her own decisions. Her mother walked back into the kitchen, made herself a cup of coffee and stared into space.

In an hour, Hermione was on her way back to Hogwarts.

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Minerva was in her office…the former office of Albus Dumbledore, shifting through letters sent by parents who either declined the letter inviting their children to attend Hogwarts, or simply said their child would not be attending this year and to forward their marks.

The new Headmistress sighed. Half of the enrolled students would not be returning. Everyone was too frightened. How many other staff members were under the Dark Lord’s thumb? If Albus himself was killed on the school grounds, what kind of protection could they expect for the students?

She removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. This summer had been a busy one. She had to sort through a number of applications to replace the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She had offered the job to Marcus Delaluci, but he declined it, stating he’d prefer to serve in a position that wasn’t cursed. Snape hadn’t lasted a year either in the position, though it was his own fault. Minerva understood and placed several ads. After going over the applications, she finally chose one of the applicants, a Miss Matilda Hagg as the best choice. It was Miss Hagg she was waiting for now.

Miss Hagg had worked for the Ministry for more than twenty years as a Dark Magic researcher, identifying spells and finding counter-spells. On her application she stated that she felt in these dark times, she wanted to do something more to protect others and felt teaching students how to protect themselves would be a satisfactory way to do just that. Most of the other applicants had somewhat shady run-ins with the Ministry Aurors at one time or another involving the use of Dark Magic. Whereas Albus wouldn’t have concerned himself much with an applicant’s past, Minerva was a different story. She felt anyone who worked at Hogwarts should have a clean record and no associations with unsavory types. If Albus had been more careful when he hired Severus Snape, he might be alive today.

Poor Albus.

Minerva looked at his portrait on the wall, and her eyes filled with tears. She sniffed and wiped them away, wondering when she would stop crying and move on. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Minerva quickly dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her robes, put her glasses on and folded her hands on the desk.

“Come in,” she said.

The door opened and a witch walked in.

“Good morning. I am Matilda Hagg and am here to fill the position of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," the witch announced as Minerva stood up.

“Welcome, Miss Hagg. I am Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the comfortable armchair in front of her desk.

“Thank you,” Matilda said, walking over to the armchair and sitting down.

Minerva looked at the witch. My, she was a textbook example of how a wicked witch was supposed to look. She wore severe black robes, curly-toed black boots and a pointed black hat under which stringy black hair fell over her shoulders. Her nose was long and hooked, with a wart on the end of it, and she had a curved pointed chin as well. Her eyes were dark brown like rich chocolate, long-lashed and her eyebrows thick and arched. But she had a beautiful, even set of white teeth that clashed with her other features when she smiled.

“So, Miss Hagg, I see by your application that you worked for the Ministry as a Dark Magic researcher for a number of years. I’ve done a background check as well as checked your references. Both came back exemplary,” Minerva said as she rifled through the application. “Now as to your teaching ability, do you believe you can instruct students of varying ages?”

“Yes I do,” Matilda said firmly, “In my position at the Ministry, I often had to instruct entry level witches and wizards in my department who were gifted in research but not familiar with the Dark Arts. I have to say that intelligence can be…quite selective, and a person gifted in one area might not be so in another, so I had to be able to adjust to the mental abilities of each individual in order to show them what to do and how to do it. I was quite successful at it.”

“I see,” Minerva said, quirking her lip.

Matilda had just insinuated she had to deal with a few brain-challenged individuals at the Ministry without actually stating it. Tact was a plus in a teacher, who often had to deal with parents and inform them their child was performing below level. Minerva believed Miss Hagg would be able to handle such a situation.

“Now, Miss Hagg…our enrollment this year is a bit low, due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the demise of our former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. You will actually be filling the position of his…his murderer,” the Headmistress said, her voice quavering a bit. “Because of that, I am afraid that my budget doesn’t allow me to offer you the salary someone of your experience deserves…”

”Headmistress, that won’t be a problem. I worked more than twenty years for the Ministry and receive a generous pension from them each month. I didn’t apply here for the money, but to help the children,” Matilda said, “Since I understand I will be provided with room and board, I feel that whatever pay you can give me will be fine,” Matilda said.

Minerva let out a sigh of relief. She had been concerned the witch would turn down the post.

“Wonderful,” Minerva said, smiling broadly at the witch, who smiled back with those disconcertingly white teeth. Minerva then reached into a drawer and pulled out a contract and a thick bound book of “Hogwarts Rules and Regulations.”

”This is a contract binding you to serve as the DADA teacher for a term of one year. At the end of the year, it will be renewed,” Minerva said, sliding the parchment across her desk.

Matilda cocked one eyebrow.

“One year? I was led to believe that most contracts were for three years,” the witch said.

Minerva looked distinctly uncomfortable, which put Matilda immediately on point. Something was wrong here.

“Well,” Minerva began…she had to be honest with the witch, “You see, the position of DADA teacher has a…a kind of negative history. Quite a few years back, Tom Riddle applied for the position and was turned down by Albus Dumbledore. From that moment…no teacher has stayed in the post for more than a year. It is believed to be cursed.”

“By Lord Voldemort?” Matilda asked her, both brows raised now.

“Yes,” Minerva said in a low voice. She still wasn’t comfortable hearing the Dark Lord’s name.

Matilda looked at her for a moment, then her face contorted and she burst out in a hair-raising witch’s cackle, covering her eyes as she laughed, her shoulders shaking with mirth.

“A Dark Arts position cursed by the Dark Arts! That’s hilarious!” the witch gasped, standing up, taking a quill out of a cup on Minerva’s desk and signing the contract. She put the quill back and handed the contract to Minerva. She sat back down and wiped her eyes, regaining her composure.

“A year it is then, Headmistress,” she said smiling.

Minerva took the application and placed it in a basket on her desk to be filed later. She was a little miffed that Matilda thought the curse funny, but did her best not to show it. She slid the thick tome of rules toward Matilda.

“These are all the rules and regulations of the school. They have been updated to reflect the steps we have taken to protect the grounds and the students. You are expected to know them before you return to the school a week before term starts,” she said as Matilda took the heavy book.

“I will read it thoroughly,” the witch said, pulling out her wand and reducing the book, placing it in her pocket.

“Welcome to Hogwarts then, Miss Hagg,” Minerva said walking around the desk to shake the witch’s hand. It was rather cool and her fingernails were painted black, filed to points and at least two inches long.

“Thank you, Headmistress. I am sure it will be an interesting year,” Matilda said with another flash of white teeth. “Now I will be off.”

“Good day,” Minerva said, as the witch exited the office.

Minerva sat back down at her desk, feeling she had accomplished something. She looked at Albus’ portrait.

“I think she’s a good choice,” she said to the wizard’s painting, which stared back at her.

Minerva went back to perusing the letters on her desk.

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Hermione Granger had just walked through the main doors of the castle after being let in the gate by Argus Filch when she rang a large bell attached to the gate. No one was allowed to enter or exit the grounds without a gatekeeper letting them in or out.

Filch was a crabby gatekeeper to say the least, but Hagrid was his backup. Both wore a little disk with a button that buzzed when someone was at the gate. Then one of the gatekeepers would press the button to let the other know he was going to answer the bell. Filch always tried to beat Hagrid to pressing the button. He liked to know who was entering and leaving the grounds. When Hagrid did manage to press it first, Filch would still spy to see who the person was. He was sneaky that way.

Well, it had been Filch who let Hermione in, grumbling about students coming to school early and giving him more work to do watching them. Hermione ignored him and walked up to the school at a good clip, Filch shaking a fist after her. What a troll.

The castle was empty and felt a little eerie as Hermione walked through, the sound of her footfalls echoing. She quickly mounted the shifting stairwells and picked her way across them to the corridor that led to the Headmaster’s…no…Headmistress’ office. Hermione was going to have to get used to that designation now…but it sounded so strange. It had been the Headmaster’s office since she first came to Hogwarts. A sense of sadness washed over her as she stepped off the landing.

She wiped at her eyes and started walking up the corridor. She saw someone striding toward her, robes billowing. For a moment, her stomach lurched, the billowing robes reminiscent of Professor Snape…but this was a witch. She wore a pointed hat. Suddenly, Hermione recognized her as the witch she had bumped into in the Leaky Tavern.

The witch’s eyes narrowed in recognition as she approached.

“Good morning,” Hermione said, swallowing a bit as the witch stopped.

”Not running people over today, I see,” the witch said to her, her mouth turned down.

“Ah…no,” Hermione said, not knowing what else to say.

The witch looked at her consideringly.

“What is your name, girl?” she asked Hermione.

“Hermione Granger,” Hermione replied.

“Well, Miss Granger…my name is Miss Hagg. Will you be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?”

“Yes, I will. Advanced,” Hermione said.

“Ah. Advanced. You must do decent spell work then,” Matilda said, cocking her head at the curly-haired witch. She had intelligent eyes.

“I do all right,” Hermione responded.

Matilda gave her a smirk.

“Well, we’ll see about that,” she said, walking off, “Goodbye for now, Miss Granger.”

”Goodbye, Miss Hagg,” Hermione called after her.

“That’s Professor Hagg to you, girl,” Matilda called back.

“Professor Hagg,” Hermione corrected herself.

The witch mounted the shifting stairs and rode out of sight.

“Hagg. Well, the name suits her,” Hermione thought as she continued toward the Headmistress’ office.

The familiar statue of the gargoyle stood in front of the entrance as usual. Hermione looked up at it.

“Pretty Kitty,” she said, and the statue leapt aside, revealing the spiral staircase leading up to the Headmistress’ office. Hermione quickly mounted the stairs, the gargoyle leaping back as she ascended.

Hermione walked to the top of the landing and stood in front of the double doors for a moment, composing herself. Then she knocked.

“Come in,” Professor McGonagall said.

Hermione pushed open the door and entered. Minerva broke out into a broad smile, standing up and walking around the desk to embrace Hermione warmly.

“Oh, you came. Thank the gods. I knew you wouldn’t abandon Hogwarts, Miss Granger,” the witch said smiling.

“No, Headmistress,” Hermione said.

Both of them sobered at her use of Minerva’s new title.

”Please sit down, Hermione,” she said.

Hermione sat down in the armchair and looked around the office. There had been some changes. It was less cluttered. The Sorting Hat still rested on a shelf behind Minerva’s desk, but Fawkes’ perch was gone as were all the Headmaster’s gizmos and gadgets. It looked a bit bare. Hermione saw the portrait of the Headmaster. He was sitting at his desk.

“Hello, Headmaster,” Hermione said to the picture.

It didn’t respond.

“Headmaster?” Hermione said, surprised. The other portraits shook their heads sadly.

“He doesn’t answer,” Minerva said sadly, “He hasn’t moved since the portrait was hung.”

Hermione looked at the Headmistress for a moment, then back at the portrait.

“Are you sure it’s a magical painting?” she asked the witch, who nodded.

“Yes. It was done by Arctus Higglesby,” Minerva replied, “We are all at a loss why it doesn’t move. None of the other portraits can enter it either.”

Hermione’s heart dropped. She had wanted to question the portrait. But it wasn’t responding. She turned to Minerva…she had to ask.

“Headmistress, do portraits move when the person painted is alive?” she asked her.

Minerva shook her head.

“No. The person painted has to pass over before the portrait will move and speak. But as we all know, Albus is dead. There must be faulty magic in this portrait. The pity is, we can’t do another one. The person has to actually sit for the portrait for the magic to take hold. So all we can do is look at him, and remember,” the witch said.

Hermione stared at the portrait for a moment longer. It didn’t move. Was this more proof the Headmaster hadn’t passed on? Hermione was sure it was an indication, but didn’t dare tell the Headmistress her suspicions. Especially with all the snooping she had to do.

“Enough about the portrait, Miss Granger. You are now Head Girl,” Minerva said, “I will give you your badge shortly before the students return, but you may take up residence in your room today. Now the reason I asked you to return is because we have a bit of clean-up work to do, and I was hoping you would help Poppy clear out some of her records in the infirmary. She has years and years of documents and other items that need to be put in storage, sensitive material. I need someone trustworthy to help her. You don’t mind do you?”

Hermione smiled.

“Of course I don’t,” she said, “I’ll be happy to help Madam Pomfrey sort things out.”

”That’s the good witch,” Minerva said with a smile. “It will require you to go into the subdungeons. Filch can escort you the first few times until you get your bearings.”

Ugh. Filch? Oh well. Hopefully he’d only have to do it once and not insist on being with her every time. This was beyond perfect. She could ask the medi-witch about Signature Stones. Maybe find out where she kept them. Maybe…

“I can’t express how happy I am you’re back, Miss Granger,” Minerva said, her green eyes clouding up, “I only wish Mr. Potter was returning.”

“So do I, Professor…but he’s made up his mind,” Hermione said softly.

“He’s just disappeared,” Minerva said worriedly, “We checked the Dursleys and they said, quite happily I might add, that he moved out. No one knows where he went. Do you know, Miss Granger?”

“No. I haven’t heard anything from him,” Hermione lied.

Minerva looked at her consideringly.

“I suppose you wouldn’t tell me if you did know,” she said, frowning.

Hermione didn’t answer her.

“Your silence says it all, Miss Granger. But I understand in a way. Loyalty. It’s a fine characteristic,” the Headmistress said, though she did look a bit upset. She couldn’t force Hermione to tell her. Harry was no longer a student and not under her protection.

“Well, go settle your things in your new rooms, then report to Poppy. She’ll tell you what to do,” Minerva said to the witch.

Hermione thanked her, feeling a bit guilty she couldn’t tell the witch about Harry, but she’d taken an oath. If anyone was likely to interfere with Harry’s mission, it was Minerva. Hermione left the office and hurried toward the Head Girl rooms. She’d unpack her miniaturized suitcases then go straight to Madam Pomfrey.

She had a million questions for the medi-witch. She’d just have to be careful how she asked them.

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A/N: So Hermione got to return to Hogwarts early. Good show. Albus’ still painting is very interesting. It seems Hermione is on her way to getting answers. Thanks for reading.