Chapter Text
You sit on the other side of the desk, surreptitiously watching the huge grandfather clock which ticks behind the witch who is flicking dismissively through the parchment that lists your credentials.
You stifle a sigh of frustration. This is a complete waste of time. The agency had told you it would be, Annie had persuaded you to go in exchange for securing an interview for the role you really wanted.
"She's turned down everyone, I've even sent a Pureblood Slytherin up to the manor, and she turned her nose up at her, they probably won't even let you through the door."
"So why do you want me to go?" you had protested.
"Because she won't stop badgering me to find her grandson a nanny, if I send you then maybe she'll leave me alone."
"And what's in it for me?"
Annie had grinned and held up an advert which you had taken off her with ill-grace.
Your eyes had widened in excitement as you read it.
"I'll get you an interview there if you go and see the Malfoys first," Annie had declared snatching the job description back off you.
So here you were, you had been let in, greeted by the infamous Narcissa herself, even if it hadn't exactly been a warm welcome.
"So.." the elegant woman before you states, still with her eyes on your C.V, "why do you want this job?"
"I don't," you think, but guessing that response might get reported back to the agency you instead beam at her, "I just love children, especially little babies, as you can see I studied magical child care after I graduated from school and got my diploma in it."
"Hmm," she replies still not deigning to look up at you.
You glance back at the clock behind her, an hour until the dream interview, The Potters, taking care of the new baby and the older child. Your foot twitches with impatience as Narcissa slowly turns over another page of parchment.
"What house were you in?" she asks.
"Hufflepuff at Hogwarts, and then at Ilvermorny I was in Pukwudgie."
She looks up slowly, "Why did you attend Ilvermorny?"
"I was only at Hogwarts for a year, then the war started, I managed to get to Ilvermorny to continue my education," you reply.
Narcissa's brow furrows with confusion, "Why did you leave Hogwarts?"
"I told you, the war started, it wasn't safe for muggle-borns to stay," you smile sweetly, watching her face, hoping that she’ll just throw you out without trying to curse you.
"You're...you're a muggle-born?"
"Yes."
She stares back at you in stunned silence.
You go to stand up, preempting the explosion and wanting to get out of there and prepare for the Potter interview, "I'm sorry to have wasted..."
"When can you start?" she interrupts.
"What?!"
"When can you start?" she repeats with a cool smile, "do you have a notice period for somewhere else?"
"No," you mumble sitting back down, trying to comprehend if she really did just say what you think she did.
"Good you can start, Monday," she replies briskly, "Is that convenient?"
"Erm...I guess."
"Wonderful, our house-elf will show you out," she continues, standing up and sweeping from the room before you can say anything else.
You stay sitting in the chair, "what on earth just happened?" you whisper.