( Hogwarts )
Upon entering the staffroom, she nodded approvingly; most of the staff was already here, waiting patiently in their assigned seats. She gave a nod of greeting to Professor Flitwick, the school's new Deputy Headmaster, her acting second in command. They had made a promise, a vow almost, to rebuild Hogwarts' once formidable reputation and to keep the school out of Ministry politics, so the events that had transpired this year wouldn't happen again!
"Headmistress, what is the purpose of this staff meeting? I have papers to mark," the sulky Severus inquired.
She turned her attention to the potion master, who she now knew was the real deal given how many house points had been taken in the last few days, and how the school's students were once again groaning and cursing his name. And also the fact that almost a tenth of Gryffindor house was now scrubbing and cleaning bathrooms.
Whilst she disapproved of this biased abuse of power against her former house, Severus was actually punishing them for breaking the newly enforced school rules, even if a normal classroom detention or point reduction would have been a more appropriate punishment for a first offence.
And on a professional note, she wouldn't undermine Severus' authority as a professor in front of her students by playing favourites and cancelling and/or rearranging detentions like Albus had often done. That didn't mean she wouldn't speak to him in private and restrict these behaviours though.
Regrettably, she still needed Severus for the foreseeable future to fill the critical role of DADA professor, after she finally got rid of 'Professor Lockhart,' from the Hogwarts staff. She also needed him to continue overseeing Slytherin house.
Professor Lockhart had created quite a mess in his short tenure at Hogwarts; all of his students were behind in their defence studies, especially those fifth years and seventh years who were only a couple of months away from their all important exams.
Not all of that was his fault, of course; Albus had hired some real winners over the years to fill that position. Lockhart had merely taken a bad situation and made it that much worse by not even trying to teach the course's material. Thus the position needed to be filled by someone who could get results, quickly, and who wouldn't be afraid to push them without remorse.
Severus was the best choice she had on such short notice. While Professor Slughorn had agreed to teach potions for the remainder of the school year, the former Hogwarts professor had not agreed to supervise his old house. Slytherin house needed a firm hand to avoid total disaster, or an iron fist if you preferred, making Severus best suited for the task out of all her current staff.
There were also the political factors to consider, due to Severus' past connection to many of the darker families. His removal, despite being well supported by multiple documented cases of misconduct, would ruffle their feathers, creating unnecessary opposition at a time when she could least afford it, undermining her reforms, whilst possibly giving Albus some unexpected allies in his bid to retake his former position. In short, Severus was a necessary evil for the moment, at least until her position was far more secure and her allies were all lined up behind her in support. And the best means to get allies and support would be getting good results!
Then there was the promise she had made to Albus to give Severus a chance. That felt like a veritable lifetime ago, when her loyalty and faith in the headmaster seemed unshakable. How naive she had been.
"The purpose of this meeting, Severus, is to discuss my planned reforms for Hogwarts' future, a future where this school is once again considered one of the finest schools of magic in all of Europe," she answered back before adding. "And certain individuals' continued employment as professors at this historic institution."
Her answer had the desired effect, as the head of Slytherin was finally giving this meeting his complete attention, understanding the unspoken threat of discharge into the cold, cruel world. Severus was smart enough to know that he was on thin ice already and in very real danger of being kicked to the curb, especially with the former headmaster's protection seemingly gone and the abrupt removal of his friend and staunch supporter on the Board of Governors in Lord Malfoy.
Looking over at the room's grandfather clock, she frowned in disapproval when she realized that the one member that the meeting was partially about was once again late. She had given very clear instructions to everyone that attendance at the staff meeting was mandatory for all. Perhaps this merely confirmed her decision.
Turning her attention back to the gathered staff members, who were politely waiting for the meeting to get underway, she decided that Sybil's presence wouldn't really matter anyway, since she was one of the professors being terminated. "We shall get started then, so that Severus here can get back to marking his most beloved papers," she commented lightly, as her lips twitched, a couple chuckles filling the air in response at her dig at the not well liked professor.
"Shouldn't we wait for Sybill to arrive?" Gilderoy asked, sending her his best charming smile, which had absolutely no effect upon her. He looked a bit discomfited at that.
"It's irrelevant. Sybill's tenure at Hogwarts has come to an end; her manner and personal bearing are not fitting for a teacher at this prestigious institution. I warned her about cleaning up her act, but she has failed to make any substantive change," she said flatly to the gathered staff, an air of uncomfortable silence falling over the staff room.
Most of them didn't seem particularly surprised at the announcement, since she had been on about Sybill's personal conduct since the day she started at Hogwarts, with only Albus sheltering the drunk from her wrath. She then turned her attention to the dim-witted DADA professor who did nothing but pose and smile and tell near farcical stories from his books in class, rather than teach like he was required. "Mr. Lockhart, your time here at Hogwarts has also come to an end; you have until tomorrow evening to remove your personal effects and vacate the castle and its grounds. Now please leave this office."
It took a couple of seconds for the DADA professor to process and understand her words, before he mutely got up to leave the room, surprisingly making no fuss over the issue, which was an unexpected blessing. The man seemed almost, relieved, if she had to put a word to it.
"I would also remind you that you are still bound by the terms of the employment contract you signed before starting here; anything that occurred at this institution while you were a professor is a matter of the strictest confidentiality," she added sternly, before the man could leave the room, after all, she didn't want to see a new book about the school written by the fool. That was one of the few good things about the new employment contracts the former headmaster had required at the start of the new school year.
"Severus? How would you feel about taking over the DADA position for the rest of the year?" she asked, the man's eyes seemed to light up in response, before the excitement disappeared behind a mask of indifference.
She wasn't too concerned about the 'curse' on the position, since the curse had already been fulfilled for the year with the removal of Professor Lockhart by her own decision. That was another important issue she would have to look into this summer, the permanent removal of the curse on the DADA position, so that she could fill the position for good and provide a consistent standard of DADA teaching for her students.
Persistent curse magic of this type was a strange and poorly understood area of magic in Britain, but it was very specific in who or what it targeted, that much she did know. Even if they couldn't identify the true source of the curse and end it, it might only affect the "DADA" professor as intended.
Changing the name of the course and position might very well stop the curse from working altogether, since the DADA position would no longer exist. The course could easily be renamed to "Combat Magic" or something similar and her staffing problems on account of this curse might be over for good. It wouldn't be a particularly glamorous solution, but it could be quite effective in its simplicity, should the curse breakers fail.
"I could be persuaded, I suppose," Severus answered in an absentminded tone.
"I suppose I could just fire you as well and find a replacement whilst I'm clearing house," she countered easily.
"Who is replacing me? I can't be expected to teach two core subjects at once, despite my formidable teaching prowess," Severus replied. With a mighty effort of will she kept herself from laughing aloud.
"Your predecessor, Professor Slughorn, has already agreed to return for the remainder of the year," she replied easily, as Severus stiffened in surprise.
Severus had never gotten along with his former potions' professor and head of house despite his prowess and ability in that subject, on account of Horace focusing on the 'high flyers' who had better career prospects, rather than him. So many doors that had been opened for those damnable 'Slug Club' members had been denied to him, despite his skill.
"He's quite looking forward to it actually; he might even stay on next year if needed."
"Will Mr. Potter still be absent from my lessons?" Severus asked.
"I believe so," she answered back quickly, but committing to nothing more, since she hadn't actually considered the issue yet. She turned her attention to the group as a whole and posed a question. "How have our charges been adapting to the new rules and their enforcement?"
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A/N : if we get 400 power stones by the end of the week, I will release an extra chapter ;)
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