Harry's mouth open with surprise. There was Headmistress McGonagall sitting in one of the chairs in Jason Charmer's office.
"Potter, close your mouth," ordered McGonagall. "You're not a toad!"
"Headmistress?" said Harry. "What are you doing here?"
"You mean 'professor' ," said Gamp, in a taunting tone.
"What is he talking about, Minerva?" asked Shacklebolt.
"I'm afraid I'm in the middle of a nefarious negotiation, Potter," said Minerva.
"Now, Minerva, don't be so dreary," said Charmer, standing up from his desk and walking towards Harry.
Harry's head lowered slightly as he glared at Charmer. Even though McGonagall was more than capable of defending herself, Harry was still loyal and protective over her as he was over Molly Weasley. Molly was the mother he never had, but McGonagall was the aunt he deserved.
"Really, Potter, must you look so cross?" asked Charmer, staring at Harry face to face. "I can explain..."
"Then do so!" said Harry, sharply.
"You see, despite contrary opinion, I am quite concerned about the safety of the students of Hogwarts," said Charmer, turning his back on Potter.
"All of the students?" asked Harry doubting Charmer's concerns.
"Well," said Charmer, dragging out the word in an indecisive manner. "I'm primarily concerned about my son, and his friends, and of course Gryffindor house. After discussing things with Ulysses, we approached Headmistress McGonagall and explained that as long as Slytherin students were still at Hogwarts, no one was truly safe..."
"Arsehole," said Harry under his breath.
"So," said Charmer, taking a deep breath. "We told her that unless all Slytherin students were removed from Hogwarts, then she would be demoted to Professor and a new headmaster would replace her."
"WHAT?" cried Harry.
"You're not in any position to make such absurd decisions, Charmer," said Shacklebolt. "And you certainly have no right to blackmail Headmistress."
"Professor," interrupted Gamp who immediately shuddered when Shacklebolt glared at him.
"Chamer, let me talk to Potter and Shacklebolt alone, please?" asked Minerva, looking at Harry, then at Charmer. "Perhaps I can make them understand this situation better."
"Certainly, Minerva," said Charmer, back to his sickly sweet tone. "Come on Gampy, le'ts leave Professor McGonagall to school these brutes."
"Headmistress," sneered Harry.
"Professor!" said Gamp, puffing his chest out as he tried to get in Harry's face. However, Gamp immediately cowered away when Harry lunging forward, pretending to attack Gamp. Charmer grabbed Gamp by the sleeve of his robe and pulled him out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
There was a tense silence in the room despite Charmer and Gamp exiting the space. Harry wanted to understand McGonagall's reasoning for giving into Charmer's demands, rather than fight him on it.
McGonagall stood up from her chair and walked over to Shacklebolt and Harry.
"Professor..." began Harry.
"Potter," said Minerva, her eyes and smile soft with kindness. "I know you're confused about this, but please understand that just as you and Kingsley belong in the Ministry, I need to be at Hogwarts."
Harry looked at Shacklebolt, who nodded in approval, supporting McGonagall's choice. Harry smiled at McGonagall and also nodded his head, his admiration for his old teacher and now comrade in battle growing even more. .
"Ahem," said Gamp, opening up the door.
"Now, Gampy," said Charmer, peering in. "Let's not interrupt them..."
"Actually, Charmer, we're finished," said Harry, staring down Gamp and trying to make the man squirmed from discomfort. "As long as Professor McGonagall has voluntarily agreed to this, and that's all that matters to me."
"Ah, Potter, finally seeing the light, are we?" said Charmer. "Well then, now that's that settled, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you and Minister Shacklebolt to leave now as Professor McGonagall has only a few short hours before the students arrive to train Hogwarts' new Headmaster."
"And what makes you think you have the authority to elect a new Headmaster?" asked Shacklebolt.
"Well, I don't - but my compatriot Gamp has the authority," said Charmer.
"Oh, wait a second - I'm afraid I don't anymore, Jason!" said Gamp, feigning shock and horror.
"Whatever do you mean?" asked Charmer.
"Well, as Headmaster of Hogwarts," said Gamp, a smile growing across his face as Harry and Shacklebolt's eyes grew with horror. "I can't hold two positions at the same time!"
At that moment, Harry felt his world coming undone. The last thing he wanted was for one of Charmer's supporters to be in charge of the school. At that moment, all he wanted was to disappear from all of this chaos. However, one glance at McGonagall's face changed his mind. Harry realized that McGonagall knew about this the whole time and due to this she wanted to remain at Hogwarts.
"Very well," said Shacklebolt, as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder to direct him out of the room.
"Oh, Potter, before you go," said Charmer, as the men were out of the library. "Among the eight, we'll strike the many who are small. You think you know what we mean, guess you'll see."
Harry and Shacklebolt looked confused by this statement.
"What the bloody hell - ?" stuttered Harry.
"Come back soon, won't you?" said Jason, as he slammed the door in their faces.