asimplechord (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asimplechord) wrote2006-02-17 03:31 pm
asimplechord) wrote2006-02-17 03:31 pm
Photo album (H/D): Snapshot 9
Title: The professors' opinions
Rating: G
Warnings: none, except for the fact that is really not HBP-compliant
Disclaimer: It's all JKR's. I enjoy playing in her universe, though.
The previous snapshots are here.
There have been many moments in the last year that I have wished Albus had lived to see: the moment of the Dark Lord’s final defeat; the re-opening of Hogwarts’ doors; the removal of Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge from Ministry office; the night of the recent Yule Ball, when Gryffindor happily danced with Slytherin on more than one occasion. In none of those instances was my yearning as profound as it is tonight.
I will never like Potter, but I have learned at last to see beyond the sins of the past; if I dislike him, it is at least for his own perceived faults, rather than his sire’s or his godfather’s. He is too undisciplined, too thoughtless and rash with his words, his magic, and his person. All that power at his fingertips, both political and magical, and he wastes himself as the part-time flying instructor and teacher of Muggle Studies. No matter what Albus always said – that boy is most certainly not Slytherin in any way that counts.
No, I will never like the boy. But I love my godson dearly, and I could see the moment he entered the Great Hall that he was happy, happier than I have seen him in many years. Of course Potter is the source of his joy. Draco presents an impeccable mask to the world, but anyone who truly knows him could see in the last few months how he longed for Potter, who was, for the most part, oblivious. When the two had a falling-out (for lack of a better term) before Yule, I had some hope that Draco would turn his attention elsewhere. Zabini is still single, after all, and Daphne Greengrass is as well. Their shared dance at the Yule Ball dispelled that notion. Still, I had my reservations. Potter is a Gryffindor, in the end.
When Draco informed me of the change in his holiday plans, I was skeptical. Oh, I wasn’t upset that he would fall behind on his experiments or that we would not see enough of each other – we spend plenty of time together in the potions laboratory, and the infirmary is well-stocked enough that pushing back our brewing schedule should make little difference. But I know the Weasleys, and for all of Molly’s welcome, I was quite aware that the two youngest were likely to make trouble – the boy has always been hard-headed, and the youngest brat should have belonged to my House, her sense of cunning and ambition is so keenly developed. As for Potter, I decided that if he was the one Draco had decided upon, I would be supportive. But if he hurt my godson, intentionally or not, he would regret it. My years in the service of the Dark Lord were nothing if not... educational.
Tonight Potter arrived alone for supper, back early from the holiday with the Weasley family. When I inquired after Draco, he explained that he had gone to his quarters to drop off his Christmas gifts and would be along shortly. When my godson arrived, I was surprised by his lack of formality: no robes, only casual trousers and a sweater, unusual for him in public. Then, when he approached the head table, I took a good look at the sweater: it bore the hallmark of the Weasley matriarch’s knitting, down to the stitched ‘D’ on the shoulder. A knot I hadn’t realized was present in my stomach loosened. Draco sat in the empty seat between me and Potter and politely greeted other faculty members. Dinner commenced, and as I ate I pondered the improbability of a Malfoy in a Weasley sweater. Mid-way through the meal, I happened to glance over in time to see Draco’s right hand settle on Potter’s thigh. Thank the Lady Vivienne the linens blocked the students’ view! Much to my relief, his hand simply rested there, just above Potter’s knee, without moving in any suggestive or lewd way. Potter switched his fork from his left hand to his right and rested his own hand on Draco’s for a moment, not pausing in his conversation with Filius as he did so.
I looked away, only to catch Minerva’s eye. She smirked; I’m certain that she is already mentally counting the galleons I owe her for her correct assessment of the progress of their relationship.
They are a couple now. A Gryffindor and a Slytherin. And not just anyone. The poster-boys for Gryffindor and Slytherin. Two boys – young men! – who despised each other for most of their youths, choosing each other for their happiness.
Albus was right about the both of them. I wish he were here to see it.
***
Severus should know by now never to bet against me when the wager in question concerns one of my Lions. Really. Did he truly believe that Harry of all people would allow public opinion to dictate his personal life? Or was it simply wishful thinking on his part?
I’ve told him for years that he underestimates Harry, but he simply shakes his head and mutters about spoiled brats. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and Severus has a blind spot a mile wide when it comes to Potters of any generation.
Any fool could see that Draco Malfoy was interested in Harry; Harry’s own interest was not so clear until recently. I’m SO glad that he is finally rid of Ginny Weasley; as fond as I am of that family, their youngest tried my patience and my temper too often when she was a student here. The child has the wrong temperament to make Harry happy. And I will see him happy, after the misery I’m sure he endured with the wretched Muggles Albus insisted on leaving him with after James’ and Lily’s deaths. Harry would rail against Ms. Weasley’s controlling nature, and he would definitely object to having his life steered as narrowly as she would certainly have tried to do. While Mr. Malfoy may be equally as sly and scheming, he had much of his life planned without his own input or consent, so I don’t believe he will do the same for Harry. Oh, he will influence Harry, I have no illusions on that score, but I believe he will leave the final choices to Harry.
I imagine that when Remus retires, which I expect him to do in a few short years, given the toll his change takes on his body, Harry will take the Defense position. He has the obvious skill and interest, but he refuses to take the job, citing Remus’s difficulties in finding alternate employment as his primary motivation. Mr. Malfoy will likely remain as Severus’s apprentice and the adjunct Potions Professor until my own retirement promotes Severus to the Headmaster’s office. I believe I’ll offer the Muggle Studies position to Colin Creevey when the time arrives. As annoying as the boy might be, he is probably more suited to the position than Harry; although he was Muggle-raised, Harry experienced only minimally the greater details of Muggle life, yet another short-coming I lay at his despicable relatives’ door.
They are leaning closer, their heads together, and I can see that they have both forgotten where they are. While I don’t think public opinion should be allowed to dictate personal behavior, I do think it is appropriate to be aware of one’s location and mindful of the possible effects of public displays. A certain amount of decorum is expected of the Hogwarts staff, after all.
I clear my throat and rise, reminding the others of the faculty meeting before breakfast tomorrow.
I wonder if or when I’ll be fielding a request for a change in accommodation for either of the boys. Perhaps Severus would be interested in another wager....
I love how Snape thinks Draco is inscrutable, but McG has an entirely different opinion. All depends on the POV and what you're looking for in a person's behavior, doesn't it?
Rating: G
Warnings: none, except for the fact that is really not HBP-compliant
Disclaimer: It's all JKR's. I enjoy playing in her universe, though.
The previous snapshots are here.
There have been many moments in the last year that I have wished Albus had lived to see: the moment of the Dark Lord’s final defeat; the re-opening of Hogwarts’ doors; the removal of Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge from Ministry office; the night of the recent Yule Ball, when Gryffindor happily danced with Slytherin on more than one occasion. In none of those instances was my yearning as profound as it is tonight.
I will never like Potter, but I have learned at last to see beyond the sins of the past; if I dislike him, it is at least for his own perceived faults, rather than his sire’s or his godfather’s. He is too undisciplined, too thoughtless and rash with his words, his magic, and his person. All that power at his fingertips, both political and magical, and he wastes himself as the part-time flying instructor and teacher of Muggle Studies. No matter what Albus always said – that boy is most certainly not Slytherin in any way that counts.
No, I will never like the boy. But I love my godson dearly, and I could see the moment he entered the Great Hall that he was happy, happier than I have seen him in many years. Of course Potter is the source of his joy. Draco presents an impeccable mask to the world, but anyone who truly knows him could see in the last few months how he longed for Potter, who was, for the most part, oblivious. When the two had a falling-out (for lack of a better term) before Yule, I had some hope that Draco would turn his attention elsewhere. Zabini is still single, after all, and Daphne Greengrass is as well. Their shared dance at the Yule Ball dispelled that notion. Still, I had my reservations. Potter is a Gryffindor, in the end.
When Draco informed me of the change in his holiday plans, I was skeptical. Oh, I wasn’t upset that he would fall behind on his experiments or that we would not see enough of each other – we spend plenty of time together in the potions laboratory, and the infirmary is well-stocked enough that pushing back our brewing schedule should make little difference. But I know the Weasleys, and for all of Molly’s welcome, I was quite aware that the two youngest were likely to make trouble – the boy has always been hard-headed, and the youngest brat should have belonged to my House, her sense of cunning and ambition is so keenly developed. As for Potter, I decided that if he was the one Draco had decided upon, I would be supportive. But if he hurt my godson, intentionally or not, he would regret it. My years in the service of the Dark Lord were nothing if not... educational.
Tonight Potter arrived alone for supper, back early from the holiday with the Weasley family. When I inquired after Draco, he explained that he had gone to his quarters to drop off his Christmas gifts and would be along shortly. When my godson arrived, I was surprised by his lack of formality: no robes, only casual trousers and a sweater, unusual for him in public. Then, when he approached the head table, I took a good look at the sweater: it bore the hallmark of the Weasley matriarch’s knitting, down to the stitched ‘D’ on the shoulder. A knot I hadn’t realized was present in my stomach loosened. Draco sat in the empty seat between me and Potter and politely greeted other faculty members. Dinner commenced, and as I ate I pondered the improbability of a Malfoy in a Weasley sweater. Mid-way through the meal, I happened to glance over in time to see Draco’s right hand settle on Potter’s thigh. Thank the Lady Vivienne the linens blocked the students’ view! Much to my relief, his hand simply rested there, just above Potter’s knee, without moving in any suggestive or lewd way. Potter switched his fork from his left hand to his right and rested his own hand on Draco’s for a moment, not pausing in his conversation with Filius as he did so.
I looked away, only to catch Minerva’s eye. She smirked; I’m certain that she is already mentally counting the galleons I owe her for her correct assessment of the progress of their relationship.
They are a couple now. A Gryffindor and a Slytherin. And not just anyone. The poster-boys for Gryffindor and Slytherin. Two boys – young men! – who despised each other for most of their youths, choosing each other for their happiness.
Albus was right about the both of them. I wish he were here to see it.
***
Severus should know by now never to bet against me when the wager in question concerns one of my Lions. Really. Did he truly believe that Harry of all people would allow public opinion to dictate his personal life? Or was it simply wishful thinking on his part?
I’ve told him for years that he underestimates Harry, but he simply shakes his head and mutters about spoiled brats. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and Severus has a blind spot a mile wide when it comes to Potters of any generation.
Any fool could see that Draco Malfoy was interested in Harry; Harry’s own interest was not so clear until recently. I’m SO glad that he is finally rid of Ginny Weasley; as fond as I am of that family, their youngest tried my patience and my temper too often when she was a student here. The child has the wrong temperament to make Harry happy. And I will see him happy, after the misery I’m sure he endured with the wretched Muggles Albus insisted on leaving him with after James’ and Lily’s deaths. Harry would rail against Ms. Weasley’s controlling nature, and he would definitely object to having his life steered as narrowly as she would certainly have tried to do. While Mr. Malfoy may be equally as sly and scheming, he had much of his life planned without his own input or consent, so I don’t believe he will do the same for Harry. Oh, he will influence Harry, I have no illusions on that score, but I believe he will leave the final choices to Harry.
I imagine that when Remus retires, which I expect him to do in a few short years, given the toll his change takes on his body, Harry will take the Defense position. He has the obvious skill and interest, but he refuses to take the job, citing Remus’s difficulties in finding alternate employment as his primary motivation. Mr. Malfoy will likely remain as Severus’s apprentice and the adjunct Potions Professor until my own retirement promotes Severus to the Headmaster’s office. I believe I’ll offer the Muggle Studies position to Colin Creevey when the time arrives. As annoying as the boy might be, he is probably more suited to the position than Harry; although he was Muggle-raised, Harry experienced only minimally the greater details of Muggle life, yet another short-coming I lay at his despicable relatives’ door.
They are leaning closer, their heads together, and I can see that they have both forgotten where they are. While I don’t think public opinion should be allowed to dictate personal behavior, I do think it is appropriate to be aware of one’s location and mindful of the possible effects of public displays. A certain amount of decorum is expected of the Hogwarts staff, after all.
I clear my throat and rise, reminding the others of the faculty meeting before breakfast tomorrow.
I wonder if or when I’ll be fielding a request for a change in accommodation for either of the boys. Perhaps Severus would be interested in another wager....
I love how Snape thinks Draco is inscrutable, but McG has an entirely different opinion. All depends on the POV and what you're looking for in a person's behavior, doesn't it?