Recovery

Common Ground

Chapter 2

Two eyes peeled open as sunlight made its way into the large windows of the Hospital Wing. It felt like it had only been minutes since she had finished Lorelei's last feeding and gotten the infant to sleep again. Familiar green robes sat at her bedside, with a familiar pink blanket wrapped around her arms. All the anger, the tension between the two witches was gone as Minerva held Lorelei in her arms.

"How'd you find out?" Persephone asked softly. Her voice was still raspy from the slumber she had been in and her eyes only partially open.

"The portrait of Headmaster Dumbledore alerted me that a new name had etched itself into the Book," Persephone hummed her approval.

"I'm sorry Aunt Minnie," Persephone whispered. "I shouldn't have left,"

"What has happened, has happened. The Fates have placed you on a path for you and you only." Minerva shifted in the chair.

"I also apologize. It was only this morning Poppy reveled to me your condition. I wanted you back here and I didn't think of the effects on you,"

"You make sound as if I'm on the brink of death. I'm just a little tired and sore," Persephone's lip quirked. Minerva stood with Lorelei in her arms.

"Come, breakfast is starting soon." Minerva moved toward the door of the hospital wing. Persephone lifted herself out of the old bed. The springs creaked in protest as she weight was lifted off. Her body felt sluggish and she was overwhelmingly sore in places that she didn't even know could be sore. Her movement was slow, but Minerva didn't seem to mind walking only a few steps ahead of her and stopping occasionally so Persephone could catch up.

"So...why am I here in the castle and not at the cottage?" Persephone asked. The younger witch saw her aunt purse her lips.

"Professor Burbage has decided to leave." Minerva said casually.

"No," Persephone stopped as she shook her head.

"There is no one else qualified,"

"There are no qualifications necessary to teach at Hogwarts!" Persephone argued in a hushed whisper.

"You have two muggle degrees, and experience in both worlds. Either you can teach the class or we'll have to cut lessons for this year." Minerva said honestly. The upcoming year started in less than two weeks. Minerva would simply not have time to find another teacher.

"I just had a baby," Persephone whispers. "A whole human has just come out of my..."

"Don't be crass. The Americans have really left a bad influence on you," Minerva scolded. They had made down to the ground floor, and were whispering in front of the staircase. Persephone whispered because the portraits liked to gossip.

"It's only one two hour class starting with the third years, and it's dependent on how many student even sign up for the class." Minerva told her. It was a shockingly light load, she could split the classes between two days. Persephone pulled her lower lip in between her teeth.

"But...Lorelei,"

"I'm sure you, Poppy and I could arrange a schedule." Persephone chewed on her lip and nodded.

"Alright. I suppose. How much is the pay?" Minerva glared at Persephone.

"I have a child to raise,"

"Two hundred and twenty five Galleons a week," Minerva informed her. Persephone raised her eyebrows. It was slightly higher than a normal muggle teacher's salary, but most importantly it would be more than enough for her and her daughter.