Life After Death - An Erica Black Continuation (4)

Fourty Seven

"Ah. Professor Black, thank you for coming" Smiled Minerva McGonagall as the young witch entered her office, 
"Of course, Headmistress. What can I do for you?" nodded Erica, smiling brightly at the woman as she took a seat across from her. The Headmistress sighed, taking a moment before speaking;
"Well, as you know, I asked you to take on Professor Malfoy's role as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor but well, it would appear that it is much harder to find another with your skill set than it is one with his.." 
"Minerva.." began the professor, grinning widely, "Are you trying to tell me that I can keep my job because it's easier to replace my husband than me?" she threw her head back in laughter,
"Well, yes. I suppose I am. I very easily found a replacement for a DADA teacher but not a single application for a History of Magic professor." replied the Headmistress hesitantly.
"well, I suppose it must just be my niche" she shrugged, biting back her amused smile.
"Quite." McGonagall smiled tightly, "Anyway, whilst a professor position may be easily filled, head of house is rather more difficult." Erica sat up, her spine straightened at her boss' words, a wide smile broke onto her face; "You want me to take Draco's position as the Head of Slytherin house?" she exclaimed excitedly. The Headmistress nodded kindly, pleased by the professor's enthusiasm, "Yes. If you agree, that is."

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Erica sat on the table in her quarters, using her wand to guide framed photographs and thick, leather bound books to their homes on shelves and walls, her clothes sent to hang in the closet as she switched on the kettle. Just as it whistled, the door opened and a familiar voice called out to her; "Professor Black" A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth,
"Professor Longbottom" she welcomed her colleague warmly, pouring a second cup of tea and motioning to the chair opposite her own. The head of Gryffindor house accepted her offer and took a seat before speaking.
"You are the Head of Slytherin house now?" he asked, Erica sighed softly but nodded with a smile; "I am, Draco isn't returning for the foreseeable future" she explained.
"I'm sorry." the man apologised, his expression showing nothing but genuine empathy.
"Don't be. He made his choice." she stated, her voice steady and cold but her hand shifting to rest on her bump, protectively. Neville's curiosity grew and he couldn't help but ask; "How so?"
"Astoria." She smiled sadly, "He chose Astoria. He moved out of the house, he left his position here.." The wizard leaned back in his seat, taking a moment to process what the young woman in front of him had just said.  He exhaled slowly, "Oh wow, well in that case, I really am sorry."
She shrugged, "Like I said, don't be."
Neville could sense that Erica was done with the conversation and so he elected to change the subject, nodding to her stomach, "You're pregnant." Erica burst out laughing at her colleague's statement, she giggled for a moment before nodding; "That I am."
"Congratulations," he ginned, "I'm happy for you". Erica's smile widened considerably at his words, she bit her lip and nodded appreciatively at the handsome man;
"Now that, that you can be. Thank you, Neville."

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The new Head of Slytherin house spent the next couple of days preparing her classroom, her lesson plans and the Slytherin common room. She had done something than none before her had ever done; she'd changed the common room. She made sure not to do anything too extreme to it but she had laid out rugs and blankets, pillows and book shelves, and overall just done her best to make it warmer and more homey than it had been before. She always had felt that the Slytherin's got the worst of the common rooms, it was dark and cold and the lighting played havoc on your eyes after a while. Before she knew it, the days had flown past and it was the first of September 2028, she had lost track of time and was running late. She glanced at her watch to find she was due in the great hall in less than five minutes, she pulled off her heels, lifted the hood of her cloak to cover her head, placed a hand over her bump and ran. she sprinted as fast as she could from the common room to the great hall and sighed in relief as she passed the first years queueing in the entranceway, she smiled and waved as the children giggled at the peculiar professor with no shoes.
"Professor Black, How lovely of you to make an appearance." chuckled Neville, Erica blushed 
"Hello Professor Longbottom, yes.. I'm afraid the afternoon somewhat got away from me" Neville laughed at her and went to turn back to the first years before pausing and returning his eyes to the woman "Are you not going in?" he asked softly, she smiled at him and shook her head silently.
"Oh, nono. there isn't much point in interrupting now, I'll just go in when you do"
"Very well then, I was just explaining the houses to the first years" he nodded before actually turning back to the gaggle of eleven year olds, "So, as I was saying; here at Hogwarts, we have four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff and over the next seven years, your house is like your family. When you do something exceptional, you will win your house points, but any poor behaviour will lose your house points. I am Professor Longbottom, the Head of Gryffindor house and it just so happens that Professor Black here, is the Head of Slytherin house. Now, are we all ready for the sorting?" a mumble of nervous agreement came from the group and so Erica pointed her wand at the large wooden doors and muttered, "Allons-y" 
The doors parted, swinging wide open to expose the great hall. Neville lead the first years up the aisle and Erica followed behind, shepherding the last few children as she went. The little girl in front of her shifted anxiously, taking pity on her for a moment, Erica placed a gentle hand on her shoulder an squeezed ever so lightly. The small blonde girl looked up at the professor who smiled at her reassuringly before stepping up to take her seat besides the Headmistress.