Charms and Charm
Abigail Griffin, Chief Healer of the Hogwarts infirmary, checked the bandage on the Gustus' forearm and renewed the healing spell before sending the large caretaker away with instructions to return the next day. If she had understood Headmaster Granger's timetable she could expect the first of the Charms Professor candidates to arrive in about fifteen minutes.
Professor Flitwicks' untimely retirement had caught the entire staff off guard but he had been a Professor for over 45 years and was not a young man before that. Now Headmaster Granger was seeking a replacement Charms professor on short notice and obviously Ravenclaw would need a new head of house. It wasn't a requirement that the Charms professor fulfill both roles and Abby knew Hermione was concentrating on the professor role for the new faculty addition. She had already ruffled a few feathers by offering interviews to some candidates with backgrounds at schools other than Hogwarts including one American. Before Abby could mentally review what she knew of the candidates, having only seen them as they entered the school for the first round of interviews, a young woman with dark hair entered the room at a bit of a run.
The woman's eyes shone brightly as she came directly over to Abby. "You must be the healer. I'm supposed to pick up a token from you."
Abby checked her timepiece. "Excuse my saying you... don't seem old enough ... or late enough to be here for this." She held up the token.
The young woman smiled even more broadly, introducing herself as Raven Reyes with a sparkle in her eye. Her accent identified her as The American. She shrugged back over her shoulder. "I assume I'm first then? I'm not sure what's taking the other three so long. I guess the impedimenta jinx could slow them down or that hallway on the second floor that flipped upside down but there's pretty simple charm to get past them." She held out her hand and laid her wand in it. "And the compass charm is like a fifth year at latest learn." As she spoke she extended her other hand and gently took the token but not before brushing her fingers slowly over the healer's hand.
"I assume you're the chief healer for Hogwarts in addition to being the most remarkably beautiful woman here?"
Abby blushed and swallowed. It had been years before she had been so blatantly flirted with. "Abby Griffin." She held out her hand which Raven took in her own and lifted to her lips to place a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"Charms I'm sure." Now the healer rolled her eyes. Puns while flirting? "And are you true to your name? A Griffin in Gryffindor?"
Abby continued smiling and nodded. "Head of House and my daughter is seeker on the house team."
Raven smiled again. "As I'm a Raven of Ravenclaw." She glanced over her shoulder before asking, "And is there a Mr. Griffin in Gryffindor?"
Abby chuckled. "Mr. Griffin is a muggle living in Boston with his second wife." She motioned toward the door. "You should probably get going to beat the other candidates though, Raven Reyes of Ravenclaw."
Raven's eyes sparkled as she glanced at the door. "It's touching to know that you want me to win the job so you can see me again." She turned and jogged the length of the hospital wing before turning at the door. "I'm going to get this job and I'll be back soon, Abby!" And then she was gone with Abby smiling, her cheeks burning, and her mind wondering how many minutes Raven still was ahead of the others and hoping that she hadn't spent too much time flirting to lose her lead.