"That first generation magicals often have difficulty getting into their desired career here in Britain, since most 'traditional' employers prefer magically raised children."
...
Thrown off balance at this sudden and unexpected change of subject, she mentally regrouped. Never in all her years of teaching did she expect to be discussing business with a second-year student, even one as advanced as Mr. Potter. However, she did know several students that fit the requirements and were looking for possible work, but having little success. This might be a great opportunity for them to actually get a good job.
"Hmm..." she mused thoughtfully. "I actually do know several very talented individuals who would be interested in such an opportunity."
She noticed the subtle smile forming on the second year's features at the news. "Would it be possible for you to provide me with a list of their names and any other information you'd care to share?
Things like what they specialize in, how you'd rank them amongst each other, what research they'd like to perform in the field, any awards they've received, etc. Once I review the list, I'd like to get in contact with them and see if they fit my needs," Harry asked with a mix of James' boldness and Lily's firmness, which warmed her heart at seeing so much of them in their son when they had had so little time with him.
Years of teaching kicked in. "Oh, of course," she replied automatically when responding to a student's request for aid, despite how unusual it was. Wondering where she left a quill, she moved into action.
"Thank you, Professor," he replied as she looked around for her quill. "Perhaps in the future you can continue to recommend other talented students to me."
...
( Hogwarts Staff Room )
'I need a drink, a very strong drink,' he thought, as the usual Wednesday night staff meeting continued on without end, whilst he looked around the oak staff table with a good measure of boredom, as he lost himself to his own thoughts and reflections, remembering Ruby's advice. "I need a change of pace," he muttered quietly beneath his breath, wondering if he would be forever doomed to teach potions to dunderheads for the rest of his days.
"Anything to add, Severus?" Albus asked suddenly, looking over at him with a laid-back smile, catching him off guard with the question.
He instantly returned his full attention back to the staff table and the ongoing discussion between his peers. "No," he answered firmly and succinctly, whilst desperately wishing to return to his potions lab as the meeting tediously carried on. Glancing over to the far wall, where the grandfather clock slowly ticked away in the background, the hands indicated that it was half past eight in the evening.
'Only thirty minutes to go,' he reassured himself.
Fortunately for him, the next thirty minutes passed relatively quickly, as the rest of the staff realized the lateness of the evening and hurried to finish their discussion of recent events so that they could go about their own affairs. However, before he could make his escape and return to his private quarters, the old fraud pompously stood up, attracting everyone's attention.
"May I make a suggestion," Professor Lockhart voiced, more than asked, as the headmaster rolled his hand, gesturing for the man to speak up. This actually strongly reminded him of his time in the Dark Lord's own court.
"It's Valentine's Day this coming Tuesday; I know it's not something we normally celebrate as magicals, as it's primarily a muggle event, but I think that after everything that has happened this year, maybe we should celebrate it. It would help inject some energy and wonder back into the school," the hack DADA professor expressed with a massive grin, showing his shiny, perfect white teeth. He could see that Professor Vector even nodded in agreement.
"Oh great," he muttered beneath his breath, already having a bad feeling about this, as Minerva looked at him.
"That's an excellent idea," Albus expressed with his own powerful smile. "Love is the most powerful type of magic there is, and we should encourage it whenever possible," the aged warlock lectured to the room, his eyes discreetly sending Severus a look. "Particularly in light of recent events."
'If you say so,' he mentally muttered bitterly, knowing that love had caused him nothing but pain in his life. At this, his dark memories came to the surface and his mood darkened as he mentally relived his many mistakes, especially at finding Lily dead.
"Maybe Severus here can teach the students how to brew some love potions then?" Lockhart suggested with a hopeful smile, causing him to level a hateful glare at the hack of a professor.
"No," he said coldly, as the DADA professor flinched at his coldness. "And it's Professor Snape to you; I have not given you permission to address me with such familiarity," he snapped back, years of schooling in social protocol kicking in.
"Severus, be nice," Albus scolded with amusement as Lockhart re-gathered his wits. "He was only making a suggestion. I just happen to agree with him; maybe learning how to brew love potions will be a good thing. The world could certainly use a bit more love in it," the fraud offered like a mystical sage, whilst playing thoughtfully with his long white beard.
Shooting the headmaster a venomous look, he decided to end this before it went too far. "Have you considered the fact that love potions could possibly lead to some serious consequences? Our female students could easily get pregnant under the influence of love potions." At this, the headmaster's smile faded.
"Marriage contracts could be broken unintentionally, resulting in severe magical consequences to the individuals involved." As he looked around the staff table, he saw other professors' smiles quickly disappearing. "Houses could be accused of line theft and new blood feuds begun, spanning centuries to come," the last smile disappeared.
Not giving Albus a chance to respond, he pushed forward with his verbal assault. "And you want to bring all these possibilities into the school under your tenure, Albus?" he questioned, while forgoing mentioning how the school's Board of Governors would likely respond. "I should also remind you and everyone else here that love potions don't create love; they just mimic the physical feelings associated with love.
As soon as the potion leaves the individual's system, those feelings would be gone. So perhaps not really the most powerful of magics, like you claimed; it would all be false, a lie made out of artificial feelings created out of thin air," glaring at the DADA professor, silently expressing his opinion of the man to the room.
"I agree with Severus," Minerva voiced, speaking up on his behalf, for once actually agreeing with him on something, which made a nice change of pace.
"So do I," Filius added in agreement, with a firm nod. "Love potions cause nothing but problems."
"As do I," Pomona added. "Love potions are morally questionable at best, and we shouldn't encourage them. You should know better, Albus," the head of Hufflepuff lectured to the room.
Nodding as he replied, "Of course, you're right, Pomona," the aged wizard agreed with a sad smile. "I was simply caught up in the moment," before looking over at him. "Thank you, Severus, for pointing out the errors of my ways," giving him a regretful smile, before turning to Professor Lockhart.
"As my esteemed staff have pointed out to me, Gilderoy, love potions are morally questionable and hence shouldn't be encouraged. However, I encourage my staff," specifically looking over at him as he spoke, "to get into the spirit of the event and have lessons planned around a Valentine's Day theme. Of course, it will be up to each of you to decide how to proceed with that in mind." The fraud smiled at his little victory.
'I need a very strong drink,' he realized, already having horrible visions of pink and cheesy love hearts hanging from the ceiling of the Great Hall.
"Moving along," the aged wizard declared, instantly taking back control of the meeting again. "Is there anything else any of you would care to report?"
"As you requested, you asked us to keep an eye on Mr. Potter at the start of the term," the head of Hufflepuff house answered, gathering the group's attention.
"Harry approached me yesterday evening, asking if I knew of any past or present students who would be interested in employment in the cultivation of magical plants and ingredients," Pomona explained. "I provided him with the names of several talented past students who I know are struggling to find work in the field," she explained with a smile upon her features.
"As far as I knew, the Potters had no holdings in the cultivation of magical plants," Albus mused to himself whilst stroking his beard, before looking over at Pomona again. "Did he say why?" Severus listened closely to the exchange, coming up with his own theories behind the request.
"Yes, he did actually," the head of Hufflepuff house confirmed. "He said he wants to introduce some 'fresh blood' into the business, to inject some new energy and drive into it."
"Interesting," the headmaster muttered to himself. "Anything else?"
"No," Pomona replied, as the rest of the staff shook their heads as well, signalling that they too had nothing further to share.
...
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