"And why, Mr. Potter, was Jonas Finnigan wielding a broken wand?"
Ginny listened from her post, masking any tremors she felt with professional calm. She had been granted special permission to watch at the back of the room, and she was not about to abuse it.
"As I was informed after the accident, his wand was cracked from a fall in the stairways earlier this morning," Harry answered, back straight and eyes level.
"And no one was made aware of this."
"Only the student himself."
"Pray, tell, Mr. Potter, why you believed it appropriate to practice such hexes with the students."
To most, Harry probably seemed to stand taller. Only Ginny noticed how he had stiffened.
"I am a professor for Defense of the Dark Arts, Governor," Harry replied with impressive serenity. "As this was a class of sixth years, I believed it appropriate for them to practice more tangibly in preparation for their N.E.W.T.s."
"We fear, Mr. Potter, in light of your colorful record as a student here at Hogwarts that the decision to place you in such a position may have been premature."
"I invited Mr. Potter to teach at Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall's voice, and person, rose above the seated crowd. "I bear sole responsibility for any negligence on his part."
"It is not the headmistress's fault," Harry said quickly. Ginny struggled to decide if she admired his loyalty or cursed his foolhardy pride. "I - I stand by the lesson I was attempting to teach. I do, however, take responsibility for not thoroughly checking every student's wand before they began to practice the aforementioned spells."
"Have the Finnigans expressed any concern?" A voice piped up from the other end of the lengthy table.
"No," the man who had led the questioning thus far replied, "we have been fortunate in their understanding."
A wave of nods rippled through the gathering of powerful minds.
"In light of the Finnigans' good graces, I suppose we can discuss a lighter sentence for Mr. Potter."
Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat. It was never, never a pleasure to hear such things spoken of a friend - or of any loved one, at all.
"I apologize once more, Governor, for my neglect," Harry repeated, repentance heavy in his tone.
This was no longer Harry Potter the boy - gleefully neglecting rules as he chased his father's legacy. This was Harry Potter, the man and professor, a hero determined to live with the chip on his shoulder.
The lead interrogator leaned to the side to confer with his associates. And Ginny, powered by something beyond herself, suddenly decided to speak.
"Good afternoon - sirs - madams," she blurted. Eyes turned towards her as she scurried up to Harry's side. "I - my name is Ginevra Weasley, and I am a fellow instructor here at Hogwarts."
McGonagall leveled a curious stare at her. Ginny shook it off.
"I - I simply wish to say that Mr. Potter has been nothing but exemplary as a professor this year." She trembled slightly at the humorless stares sent her way. She chose to stand taller, as Harry did. "The students have been eager to learn their Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons - and the strength of the curse that had caused Jonas Finnigan his injury is merely proof that the students had been eager to practice what they had learned."
She wondered if Harry appreciated what she was doing. She wondered if she herself appreciated what she was doing.
"I - I hope you let him stay," she continued, more softly than before. "He - he is the best professor the students could ever wish for."
Eventually, the governors resumed their discussion amongst themselves. And Ginny held her breath until she felt a warm, masculine hand reach for her smaller one and grasp it firmly.
"Thank you," Harry whispered.
"You're welcome," she whispered back, hoping hard that she had done him a favor rather than a disservice.
The murmurs cooled another minute later, and Ginny squeezed Harry's hand tightly before letting it go.
"We have decided," the man at the head of the table proclaimed, "that we shall not suspend Mr. Potter's post as Hogwarts professor."
Ginny felt her lungs loosen.
"As for other duties, however," the leader continued, "we defer the decision to Professor McGonagall."
"We can hardly have a Gryffindor Head of House with such a record," a female voice said across the table.
Ginny frowned, suddenly unsure what the governors were discussing at all.
"I understand," Professor McGonagall replied with a deep nod. "It is perhaps understandable if families would not wish for a first year teacher to take Chalicia Prewett's post upon her retirement, particularly after such an accident has taken place."
Ginny noticed that Harry was frowning as well.
"But there is no need for us to insist upon Mr. Potter as next year's Head of House," the headmistress stated calmly. "We have another instructor present among us, with more experience with the students, who is a Gryffindor herself."
Ginny felt her mouth gape at all the nods now directed at her.
"Can we all concur that Mr. Potter may continue as Defense professor for the following year, while we invite Madam Weasley to care for our Gryffindor flock?"
Various murmurs of assent echoed throughout the room at Professor McGonagall's suggestion.
"Very well, it is settled," the Chief Governor stood. "Do continue to inform us of Jonas Finnigan's recovery process."
"Of course, sir." McGonagall bowed her head.
"I hereby dismiss this meeting."
And, almost on cue, the governors Disapparated into thin air.
McGonagall, the lone representative left, gave one look at Harry and Ginny, winked at them, and left as well.
A/N: Maybe it's best this way!