The evening’s event promised to be excruciating at best and Connie had been dreading it since the Headmaster had told them through gritted teeth what the governors were demanding of them now. It was, perhaps, the only time she could ever recall sharing any opinion with Phineas Black, the very thought of which was unnerving in itself.

Still, she had to show willing and had several hours yet. She really ought to have the house elves draw her a bath and actually spent some time on her appearance – this being one of the few occasions she ever had to show off that she wasn’t entirely hideous thank you very much! – but she dawdled about it from lunchtime till early evening and found herself in the common room, almost entirely alone but for a few sixth years quietly doing homework in the corner, only at Hogwarts because they could earn a little towards their education by serving drinks.

Connie thought it was utterly reprehensible. She had also already told them to always make sure she had a drink in her hand.

A cry from the girls’ dormitory drew her attention, faint though it was. Most of them were back home she knew, in fact very few students had stayed this year other than those for whom it was worth their while and…

Connie trotted up the staircase quickly, throwing open the door to the second year dormitory.

“Miss Scrimgeour?” She said carefully, not quite sure what she was going to find. “Holly?”

Broaching the subject of her family, and their polite apathy towards the existence of both her and the magic she wielded, was not something Connie liked to do even with herself. She certainly had no intention of getting into it with her young charge so, as she always did whenever somebody asked after her family, she smiled blandly and demurred.

“Oh they’re visiting relatives abroad this year,” she lied easily, waving a hand dismissively as she perched carefully on the edge of the bed. Her eyes quickly scanned the plethora of books piled around the girl’s bed, some of them titles she had suggested herself and others far more advanced than most second years would even attempt to read. Some of them probably hadn’t been troubled by the librarian’s stamp since Evangeline Orpington had been Minister of Magic.

“This is quite the impressive haul, I’m surprised Mrs ____ let you take out so many at once.” Amongst the pile Connie spotted Professor Cramming’s book and smiled softly. Apparently Holly wasn’t entirely opposed to listening to her advice. “I’m not going to let you sit up here for the whole holiday I hope you realise? You need food and fresh air at least twice a day,” she said decisively, glancing over to the brazier to make sure it was still burning and the house elves hadn’t forgotten Miss Scrimgeour in the hubbub of everybody else leaving.

It was possible that Mrs. ___ was the most disagreeable woman Connie had ever had the misfortune to know and that included the fallen women she had once known who had not taken kindly to her educational suggestions for their betterment and her great aunt Millicent who somehow seemed to know every secret Connie possessed and delighted in holding them over her head. If the librarian interfered in Holly’s choosing of reading material again then she would be having words with the Headmaster – he didn’t like her much but he cared for the librarian even less as a muggleborn Slytherin just trumped a Gryffindor of the same lineage.

“How about if I come and collect you for dinner in the evenings?” She offered hesitantly, as much to give herself something to mark out her days as to ensure her charge was properly nourished. Wondering the corridors was rather lonesome at this time of year, when even the familiars had abandoned their usual prowling routes and she would be glad of the company. “And if the weather remains fine we could go for a walk. You can tell me what you’ve learnt and I won’t worry about you needing glasses before twelfth night.”

If that were true - and Connie had a terrible feeling that it probably was - then in a better world she might have felt able to have a quiet discussion with some of Holly’s teachers to make sure they weren’t ignoring the girl simply because they saw no great point in educating her. Of course if it were a better world then she wouldn’t have to.

“Well that simply isn’t true,” Connie replied solemnly. “I care a great deal.”

She had meant she cared for Holly’s education, which she most emphatically did as she did for all the girls that came into her charge, but as the words left her lips Connie realised the truth of them. She did care about Holly Scrimgeour. Perhaps it was because the girl reminded her of herself, albeit with quite a bit more money and purity of blood to her name? Or perhaps it was because Holly needed someone in her corner? Perhaps it was long-dormant maternal instincts?

Or maybe Holly had simply wormed her way into her heart without Connie even noticing?

Connie had long-since grown accustomed to inquisitive children. They came with the territory of governess positions and being the matron of a house that valued knowledge almost as much as a Ravenclaw might, but it was unusual for any of them to ask her something personal.

Oh, she had had her fair share of insolent youths who had tried to embarrass her and seem very clever indeed by asking a crude question to entertain his classmates, but they were easily dealt with. Her personal life had also been of great fascination to a trio of young ladies who had been the friends of her former employees, and Connie had expertly dodged every pointed question. It had helped that they were a little bit stupid of course…

“I did as a matter of fact,” she replied honestly, a small smile appearing on her face. “I was quite atrocious at Herbology though so I will definitely need you to accompany me on at least one walk to tell me what I’m about to tread on.”

She had also been a prefect with the Headmaster and it was safe to say he had done slightly better with his career, but neither she nor Phineas Black ever mentioned that they had endured their awkward teenage years in the same vicinity as one another and Connie thought it was for the best.