Chapter Twenty-Five
Talk Over Tea VI
"This is an outrage!" Snarled Snape, pacing back and forth like a caged tiger in McGonagall's office. His greasy black hair unkempt and his robes swishing at his ankles as he made short abrupt turns before McGonagall's table. "What do you plan on doing about this?"
McGonagall quietly sipped her tea, trying not to let her anger show on her face. She felt like raging, yelling, and pacing, instead she sat still in her chair and sipped her tea. Citrus Chamomile this time, supposedly it was renown for it's calming qualities. McGonagall didn't feel calm and she doubted Snape felt any calmer also.
"This situation will not be ignored. Be sure of that professor Snape." McGonagall said coolly. She did not enjoy being yelled at, no matter the circumstances. Plus Snape's incessant pacing was about to drive her mad, every time he turned in his pacing there was a small squeak of leather upon the polish wooden floors. The sound was beginning to grate upon her nerves. Could the man not just sit down?
"This is Harry Potter's fault." Snape said, facing her. "I expect this situation to be dealt with as harshly as possible. I want Potter expelled for what he's done today!"
McGonagall nodded. "When Headmaster Dumbledore returns we will see how he wants to deal with this. Be assured that all measures will be taken and punishment will be meted out justly."
Snape stared at McGonagall. She watched with slight amusement, as he was struck speechless with rage, his face turning form it's usual shallow coloring to a beat red. She continued to sip her tea as Snape got control of his emotions.
"When he returns?" He gasped finally.
"Yes. A situation of this magnitude can only be handled by the Headmaster, and until he returns we'll be assigning the usual punishments. Detentions." McGonagall set aside her cup. "For all students involved in the fight."
Snape's eyes narrowed in anger. "My students did not perpetuate this fight. They were only defending themselves from a half deranged and highly unstable student."
McGonagall nodded again. "Though they may have been defending themselves from attack, the fact is that they were fighting." She said. "We cannot allow students free reign to fight, even if they were defending themselves or not."
Snape nodded sharply, his face expressionless. He folded his arms and sat down stiffly in the chair across from McGonagall. "So be it."
McGonagall held in a sigh of relief. She was expecting a bigger confrontation with the Slytherin house head and she had not been enjoying the prospect. "The matter will be investigated and those that were involved in the fighting will be questioned and punishment will be handed out. Dumbledore will administer whatever other punishment he wants, when he returns."
Snape nodded again, rising to his feet. "You had best keep a tight reign upon Potter's actions. The boy is unstable and violent. It is well known that Headmaster Dumbledore has a soft spot for Potter. But there is a line between indulgence on what he does to ignoring reckless, dangerous, and criminal activities. I hope that Dumbledore in his wisdom can see that." With that Snape stalked out of McGonagall's office, surprisingly not slamming the door on his way out.
McGonagall let out a ragged breath of frustration, anger, and exhaustion. She buried her head into her arms on her desk took a calming breath.
"What are we going to do with you, Harry?" She muttered to herself, closing her eyes and wishing that Dumbledore hadn't left. There was a sudden knock at her door and she sat back up straight, calming her expression. "Enter."
Madam Pomfrey walked in, looking a little haggard and angry. "Ginny Weasley has been attacked." She stated bluntly sitting down in a chair. McGonagall stared. "She was found unconscious in the Gryffindor common room by her brother and is now in the Hospital Wing. Her condition is not sever, but she is unconscious and there are marks of attack upon her."
McGonagall could not hold back the groan or the dropping of her head into her hands. What else would happen now?