Who: Millicent and Ezra When: Evening, May 7, 2006 Where: Hogwarts Warnings: LOW Summary: Millicent visits with an old professor, but runs into a new one first. Status: Incomplete
She hadn't decided on whether or not she would be taking the job. She hadn't, but Millicent would be remiss if she did not investigate the offer on the table before rejecting it. The early evening air was pleasant as she walked up the path from Hogsmeade to the school, trying not to think about the last time she had taken this path.
Malcolm was gone, as was Vincent. Their lives weren't remembered nor were they celebrated. Everyone was happy to spit on the graves of the Death Eaters, forgetting that they were somebody's friend, somebody's brother. Breathing deeply through her nose, she straightened her back and raised her chin as she made her way up to the front doors. Nobody would have to tell she was privately mourning, reliving.
Professor McGonagall, Headmistress now, Millicent thought idly, met her at the door. "Miss Bulstrode," the older woman greeted, her face just as stern as Millicent remembered. "Professor Slughorn will be happy to see you. I trust that you remember the way to his office?"
The younger woman's eyes flicked downwards for a moment before she met McGonagall's hard gaze, nodding. "Of course, Headmistress." Was McGonagall's face permanently frozen in that expression, she wondered. Then again, she probably wasn't pleased that one of Snape's snakes was in consideration for his former post. She would have probably preferred one of her precious lions, but Millicent didn't see Hermione Granger darkening Hogwarts' doorstep again.
"Well I will let you go then, Miss Bulstrode." The headmistress moved to the side, wizened eyes studying the young woman in front of her. Millicent Bulstrode would suit, Minerva decided. She would have Severus' sternness, but not the history hanging over her head. With Professor Summerby now teaching Transfiguration, it was best to keep the male to female ratio of professors equal.
Millicent began to make her way towards Horace Slughorn's office, eyes straight forward. She could still feel McGonagall's gaze on her, but she wouldn't give her old professor the satisfaction of seeing her scurry away. No, Millicent was proud of what she had accomplished during the years after Hogwarts.