Ok, this is all you're getting for a while, cuz I'm stuck. /
Enjoy.
Chapter 10: The Woes of Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall was grading first year essays when she heard singing that sounded suspiciously like Peeves.
"Oh most think he's barking, the Potty wee lad…"
Oh no, thought Minerva sighing, Well, I better go out there and do something about him.
The witch got up fom her desk ad had almost reached the door when-
"SHUT UP!"
She threw open the door.
"What on earth are you shouting about?"
Well, that was a stupid question, thought Minerva, If I didn't have to pretend to be sane, I would probably be yelling at Peeves too…
"Why aren't you in class?"
"I've been sent to see you," Harry replied , rather dryly.
"Sent? What do you mean 'sent'?"
What's up with the stupid question's Minerva?
Harry held out the note. When Minerva saw the pink, she was sure her shoulders drooped.
Umbridge. That's not good.
She took the note and opened it, and read it.
Oh, so this is what all the rigmarole is about. Typical Potter.
"Come in Potter," she said, holding her office door open for Harry.
"Well? Is this true?" she asked.
Stupid question. Umbridge was known to stretch the truth, but not on something like this.
"Is what true?" replied Harry angrily. "Professor?" he added hastily.
Minerva mentally sighed, and almost mentally grinned. He was so much like James, feigning stupidity.
"Is it true you shout at Professor Umbridge?"
"Yes."
"You called her a liar?"
"Yes."
"You told her He-Who- Must-Not-Be- Named is back?"
"Yes.
No surprise there.
Minerva sat down at her desk. He must be frustrated with all this.
Understatement of the century, said the sarcastic part of her mind.
She returned to Harry.
"Have a biscuit, Potter."
"Have- what?"
"Have a biscuit," she said, almost shoving the tin of cookies at him. "And sit down," she added. She watched him take a cookie before speaking.
"Potter, you need to be careful. Misbehavior in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than House points and detention."
This is one of Minerva's rare maternal moments, so she didn't sound strict like she usually did.
"What do you-?"
"Potter, use your common sense!" she said, snapping quickly out of 'maternal' mode and back into 'strict professor' mode.
"You know where she comes from, you must know to whom she is reporting."
The bell rang and she could hear the stampede of students.
"It says here she's given you a detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow," said Minerva, consulting Umbridge's note.
"Every evening this week?! But, Professor, couldn't you-?"
"No, I couldn't."
Though as much as I would love to.
"But-"
"She is your teacher, and has every right to give you detention.
Unfortunately.
"You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge."
"But I was telling the truth! Voldemort's-" Minerva winced. "-back, you know he is, Professor Dumbledore know he is-"
"For heaven's sake, Potter!" said Minerva angrily. Really, was the boy that dense? "Do you really think this is about truth or lies? It's about keeping your head down and your temper under control!"
Like that's going to happen.
But Minerva felt a twinge of guilt for yelling at him.
"Have another biscuit."
"No thanks."
"Don't be ridiculous."
Harry reluctantly took one.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"Didn't you listen to Dolores Umbridge's speech at the start-of-term feast Potter?"
No.
"Yes," said Harry.
Liar.
"Yea, she said, progress will be prohibited or, well, it meant that, that the Ministry of Magic is trying to interfere at Hogwarts."
Minerva eyed him closely. The boy had never been good at lying.
"Well, I'm glad you listen to Hermione Granger at any rate," she finally said, opening the door for him to leave. After Harry left, Minerva sat down at her desk, put her head in her hands, and groaned.
And it's only the first day of school. It's going to be a long year.