A Room With a View

A Particular Favorite

"You, sit," the Headmistress said, directing Hermione toward a chair. Then she thrust her finger toward Severus. "You, talk. What, exactly, were Percy Weasley and Harry Potter doing in the castle? And it better have something to do with why you disappeared from the ball last night."

Severus raised a sardonic eyebrow and shot a glance toward a shrugging Hermione. He'd known that the wards would have notified Minerva of the unscheduled visitors' presence, but he had no idea she'd be quite this curious. "It would seem that you've already worked that out for yourself, Min," he said, sinking into the chair next to Hermione's.

"Did Percy convince Kingsley to reopen the investigation into your attack?" she pressed, her voice sounding hopeful. 

Severus sighed. So much for adding two and two, I suppose. "No, Min," he replied softly. "The investigation will remain closed because my attacker - and, for that matter, Hermione's attacker - confessed last night. After attacking Hermione. Again."

"In an attempt to repair the compulsion spell that drove me toward Ronald," Hermione chimed in.

Minerva sat in her desk chair with a thump. "Percy."

Hermione and Severus nodded.

"I'd assumed he left because of his wife-"

"He did. It was a girl. They've named her Thalia," Hermione responded. "Harry placed a trace on Percy's wand - illegally, so please don't mention it to Kingsley just yet - so that he could attend the birth. Then we met with them both this morning. Kingsley knows now and Percy will be leaving the Minister's staff to work with us researching the reversal and repair of memory charms."

Minerva sat up at this. "Don't tell me you're leaving Hogwarts!" she exclaimed. 

"Calm yourself, Min," Severus said. "Neither of us has any intention of leaving. Hermione's Arithmantic consultancy will be redirected into the research group. I will become a Potions consultant for the purpose. Others will be hired, and our work will take place outside of our duties to Hogwarts."

Hermione reached forward and placed her hand over her friend and mentor's. "I wouldn't do that to you, Minerva. If I leave, I will give you ample notice, help you find my replacement, and stay to help train them. I won't leave you in a lurch. You have my promise on that."

The Headmistress flipped her hand over to give Hermione's a soft squeeze, silently nodding her thanks. "I'll have to floo Molly and congratulate her on her new grandchild. This is the fifth?"

"Sixth," Hermione corrected. "And hardly the last. Ginny is due any day, Ronald's wife is due soon, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Fleur is pregnant with her third." She slanted a glance toward Severus. "She was avoiding champagne last night."

Severus snorted. The Weasleys were nothing if not prolific. It would seem that he would have a new passel of Weasleys to teach in a few years time.

Minerva waved a hand as if to clear the air. "That's of no matter at the moment. Tell me about Percy. And your memories. Did he reverse the spell?" she asked Severus.

"He did. The memories return if I attempt to recall them. I suspect that several extended meditation sessions will be necessary to clear the cobwebs, as it were," he intoned. "As for Mr. Weasley, Hermione has convinced me that seeking retribution through legal channels would serve as nothing more than revenge. A highly public revenge, at that. The method Percival used to restore my memories was... unusual. It seems a better idea to use his skills and combine them with our own to help others." He glanced at his lover as she took his hand. "Namely, such research may help to completely restore the Grangers' memories."