Auset and Hermione Who: Auset Massri and Hermione Granger When: Monday 29 June 2009, 3:30pm Where: Hermione's office What: After her owl to Hermione, Auset goes to meet with her Rating: G
The school had a different feel to it when it was void of students. For one thing it was actually quiet, with the only sound that Auset could hear being the clicking of her heels against the floor as she headed down the hallway. It was also a great deal more peaceful, almost to the point where she could hardly imagine children running around between classes, or yelling at lunch. It was if the summer holidays had transformed the Remus Lupin Academy into another world.
She paused for a moment, took time to straighten out her skirt, smooth an imaginary wrinkle from her bright white blouse, and knocked on the door.
Hermione was newly returned to her office after jaunting off to South America with Nick. She was relaxed (and even had a tan!) and happier than she'd been in weeks. She was, however, a bit concerned about what her Ancient Runes professor wanted to see her about. After all the trouble with Auset and the Robinses, and the trouble with Williamson and Aubrey, and the trouble with the Boles and practically everyone, Hermione had had quite enough of personnel issues.
At the knock on the door, she looked up from the grant she was writing for the rugby pitch. "Come in!" she called, putting down her pen.
The slowly opened and Auset quickly stepped inside, making sure that the door did not slam shut but closed with a slight 'click.' "I wanted to thank you for agreeing to meet with me today," she began as she headed towards the headmistress' desk. "I am sorry it was quite last minute, and I appreciate it greatly."
"Oh, that's quite all right," Hermione replied, gesturing to the chairs that sat in front of her desk. "During the summer my schedule is considerably more free than it is during the school year. Meetings are easy to schedule when I don't have a building full of children and faculty to manage. What might I do for you?"
Silently, Auset gently placed the envelope she had been holding in front of Hermione. "I wanted to give this to you in person, rather than by owl," she started to explain. There was a hint of sadness and tiredness in her voice, which only served to highlight the bags under her eyes. "It is my official notice that I shall not be returning for the fall term."
Hermione blinked with surprise as she took the envelope. "You won't?" she asked, though of course she knew the answer to that question. She opened the enveloped without looking at it as she tried to tamp down her surprise and react more productively. "I'm sure the answer is included in your letter, but...might I ask why? And, of course, if there is anything I could do to change your mind?"
Auset shook her head. "No. I won't be renewing my contract." Her hands rested on the edge of the large desk as she maintained eye contact with Hermione. "And that was partly my reason for asking to meet with you, wanting you to explain. It is in the letter, but I wanted you to know that despite all of the ups and downs of the past two years I have enjoyed working here, far more than I originally expected."
She sighed and brought a hand up to sweep away the fringe that was obstructing her field of vision. "My father is not doing well, his health is beginning to take a toll. It is not right for me to be away from him in such a condition, and my husband agrees. We shall be moving to Alexandria."
While Hermione was certainly disappointed to hear that Auset was leaving, she could certainly understand the reasoning. If her father was in such ill health, she would not want to be so far away either. There was too little time in this world to waste any of it.
"Oh dear. I'm so sorry, Auset," Hermione replied more quietly. "But of course, family must come first. You will be greatly missed here - and of course, if there is anything at all I can do to help with your transition, please let me know."
"Thank you." It was difficult for Auset to accept sympathy usually, but this was different. "And I shall miss this school. Thank you for your offer. I have already procured a position as a private tutor. I know it would have been better for me to seek you out and explain this sooner, but I did not think it would be right to interrupt your holiday. You work very hard to make this school as wonderful as it is, you deserve some time to relax."
"Thank you," Hermione replied in turn, nodding graciously. "And this school will miss you as well. It will be extremely difficult to find a scholar of your calibre to fill your position. When do you intend to make the move? If it's not too soon, I would dearly love to have you help me with suggestions for possible people to court for the job or to sit in on interviews."
"We are hoping to move by the end of July," explained Auset. "There are some loose ends that we need to tie up, and our lease ends then. Searching for a place in Egypt is proving difficult, but my parents have space until we find one of our own. But I would be more than willing to aid you in your quest, I understand I have left you in a difficult position. But if you tell me in advance when you would require my presence I shall try my hardest to find a way here. Magic is quite useful in such manners."
"Indeed," Hermione agreed with a faint smile. "I may well call upon you, then - while I certainly have sufficient expertise in Runes to know the good from the bad potential professors, you are more qualified to help discern the good from the exemplary."
She paused, feeling that the conversation was beginning to wind down. Hermione stood then and offered her hand. "I thank you for your service here, Auset. You have been a valuable addition to this faculty, and you will be missed. I wish you the very best in the future."