A/N: Will tr to get the next chapter done over the weekend. No promises though! Am Very Busy doing Important Drinking. Both Friday and Saturday. Will be hungover all to Hell on Sunday but will try to squeeze it in.
Acceptance
"Headmaster, I know you said that you wanted no more discussion on this topic but really, I can't agree with you on this." Dumbledore looked across the desk at the young witch frowning determinedly at him.
"Minerva, your perseverance is admirable but I've made my decision. Young Mr. Lupin will attend this school and be treated with the same respect and care as any other student here. Your objections and those of the other teachers have been noted in your records."
"Dammit, Albus!"It was uncharacteristic of her to curse, especially in front of her headmaster, a sure sign she was anxious."I'm not worried about my career, my concern is for the other children." Dumbledore smiled at her with something akin to pride.
"And it does you credit. You are a fine and able teacher." Professor McGonagall frowned harder if that was at all possible.
"Flattery won't change my mind, Headmaster."
"It wasn't meant to." He tapped one long thin finger against the desktop as he made his point. "You are an exceptional teacher and Mr. Lupin, by all accounts, is remarkably clever, mature and considerate young man."
"Oh, very mature I should imagine." McGonagall snorted. "But even if you put aside his 'occupation' he's still a werewolf! The fact that he's clever as well only makes him more dangerous."
"He's different, Minerva. We tested him, pushed him, you saw the results. His control is astounding. Do you need to read the report again?" The witch sighed and sat herself down at last.
"No, Albus, I don't. I read it very thoroughly as you well know, I know how strong his control is but I'm still not convinced." He let silence reign for a moment before speaking once more, almost contemplatively.
"Hogwarts is not just a place where we teach the young. It's a place where we shape destinies, build new horizons. A school should be more than a centre of learning it should be a sanctuary for those who need one and we should be their guides. Mr. Lupin has had one of the worst starts in life possible but he's refused to let it destroy him. Yet." He fixed her with a pointed stare. "I see wonderful potential there if someone steps in and gives him the start in life a child deserves." His gaze softened. "The boy wants to learn, Minerva, how rare a thing is that for a teacher to throw away?" She sighed again, this time in defeat.
"God knows what filthy habits he'll bring with him." She muttered. Professor McGonagall crossed her arms and laid down her terms."If I think he's introducing anything he learnt at that brothel then I'll take so many house points off of him that he'll have to bend over backwards just to bring them back to zero!"
"Naturally." Dumbledore murmured. "Though, I believe you'll find he's a very respectable young lad despite his upbringing."
"And what are we going to do about the full moon?" She cried to herself, not even registering the Headmaster's last comment.
"I've got it all taken care of. Minerva..."
"Then there's the issue of secrecy. We've got to be able to hide his condition from the other students."
"Minerva..."
"What about his history? We'll have to invent a convincing life history for him as well!"
"Professor!" Dumbledore raised his voice. She jumped.
"I...oh. I apologise." She said stiffly and sniffed. "I'm just a little nervous about the whole affair."
"If you think you're worried imagine how, Mr. Lupin must be feeling." She looked down at her hands and nodded. "Besides, I'd say Remus Lupin is the last new entrant you should be worrying about." She looked up warily.
"What do you mean by that, Albus?" He didn't smile but his eyes flashed with secret amusement.
"The Black's eldest son will be starting this year as well." Her face froze.
"Sirius Black is coming to Hogwarts?"
"Yes."
"Didn't he set Ambrose Malfoy's robes alight when he was five?"
"No." She began to breath a sigh of relief. "That was when he was three. When he was five he unlocked the dragon's cage at the Romanian Wizard's Exposition and let it loose in the Ministry."
"Oh. I see." She cleared her throat and stood, straightening her robes.
"Will there be anything else, Professor?" He asked her as he moved to open the door.
"Yes. Do you accept oral resignations or only written ones?"
