Minerva McGonagall had been a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for nearly forty years and in that time she had attended thousands of staff meetings. She usually looked forward to the meeting at the end of the first week of the autumn term, it was a chance to relax after what was inevitably a hectic week. They would discuss how the new students were settling in and any other issues that had arisen, then decide how to try and resolve them.

On this occasion however, she could not settle in her favourite armchair in front of the fire with a Firewhisky while she waited for the meeting to begin. She could not settle down to a game of chess against Filius Flitwick as part of their on-going challenge or even sit and gossip about the students with Poppy and Pomona- though the three of them would vehemently deny, if accused, that they would ever gossip.

The long, wood panelled room was slightly shabby but exuded an air of cosiness that more than made up for it. The mismatched chairs were a little worn but clearly well loved, favourites having long since been chosen by each professor. The room was as familiar to Minerva as her own room back home but this time she could not relax. She sat, stiffly, in her chair to the right of Albus' at the head of the long table that was used for meetings, back poker straight and mouth pursed in a line so thin as to be nearly invisible.

The other teachers settled in their chairs, their usual chatter a little hushed as they glanced warily at the angry Scot, who was clearly on the warpath. Snape skulked into the room, robes flaring around him, defiance written clearly across his scowling face. Before Minerva could speak, Albus joined them and took his seat, starting the meeting. There was no major issue requiring their attention so the conversation focused on the incoming first years and how they were settling in.

"And young Mister Black? How is he settling in?" the Headmaster asked genially and was surprised at the growl that escaped his Deputy. "What's wrong Minerva? I was under the impression you were rather fond of Aries, or was I mistaken?"

"Of course you weren't mistaken! I'm very fond of the poor bairn but he would be settling in a lot better were it not for the actions of my esteemed colleague." She spat out. Half the staff, those who had not spoken to Pomona before the meeting, were looking perplexed, as was a rather bemused Albus.

"I always knew you were biased Severus but this time you've gone too far! It was completely unprofessional- of all the cruel, vile, downright sadistic things you could have possibly done…" Snape sneered at her and McGonagall was so overcome by rage that she could not speak.

"Whatever are you talking about, my dear?" asked the Headmaster.

"This spiteful, immature, vicious bastard is what I'm talking about! Have you any idea what he's done!" She had risen from her seat and one finger jabbed at the air in front of Snape, who seated on Albus' other side.

"Minerva? Severus? Would someone please explain what on earth is going on here" pleaded Albus

Pomona Sprout cleared her throat and all eyes swivelled to look at her, except for Minerva's which were still attempting to burn a hole through the surly potions' master. " I received a visit from Mister Longbottom this morning, after he had left Severus' lesson partway through the first period. It appears that during his opening speech Severus insulted Sirius Black, quite deliberately, in front of Aries Black and Harry Potter. He said, among other things, that Sirius was a fool and he deserved to die, he also implied that Mister Potter led him to his death and that his recklessness would get others killed." Her voice and phrasing was neutral as she gave her report but her face betrayed her true feelings.

"He called Sirius a mutt and asked whether he had prevented Aries attending Hogwarts before now because he was ashamed of the boy or if it was because the boy was too stupid. Then he suggested Aries pay attention as he would need to know how to defend himself should he ever encounter Bellatrix Lestrange. He said it was unfortunate that Lestrange was denied the opportunity to play with Sirius before she killed him, as she normally prefers to torture her victims first."

The normally amicable Herbology Professor's face was twisted with disgust as she gave her report. "Young Mister Black shouted at Severus to shut up but at this point his emotions were so high that a magical wind appeared and tore through the classroom, he ran from the room before it could do any serious damage. Mister Potter did not speak a word but fled immediately after this, clearly in a state of great distress."

"Mister Longbottom was offended on behalf of his friends and Sirius, he mentioned he was in the death room at the Department of Mysteries when Sirius fell through the arch, and he was greatly angered by the comments about Bellatrix Lestrange, understandably so" many of the staff shared sad glances as they remembered the fate of Neville's parents. "He reprimanded Professor Snape and then left the class to join me in the greenhouses, where, after a little time to cool down, he explained the situation to me and we brought the situation to Minerva's attention."

Dumbledore's disappointment was written clearly upon his face as he gazed at Snape. "Severus? Would you care to explain yourself?"

"Why should I explain myself? I was merely using a relevant example to illustrate my point, the importance of planning and care in dangerous situations."

"You pathetic piece of sh-" exclaimed Minerva but she was cut off by a glare from the Headmaster.

Albus' face darkened and it was suddenly clear why he was the only person Lord Voldemort had ever feared. "This meeting is over. Severus. Minerva. My office. NOW!" He commanded as he rose and swept from the room, the two Heads of House following reluctantly in his wake like chastised children- Minerva still outraged, Severus still defiant.

A ringing silence filled the void left by their departure. The rest of the staff stared in shock at the door which had slammed shut behind them. Albus never raised his voice, he much preferred using a gentle, disappointed tone that left the listener so filled with guilt that they would do anything to appease it. This time, however, they could see why he was so angry- Snape had been given a lot of leniency by the Headmaster in the past but this time he had crossed the line, gone so far, in fact, that the line was nothing but a distant memory.

As the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office slid back into place a raised voice was heard briefly before it was cut off. The voice was deep and chilling, with an ominous note in it that did not bode well for the one on the receiving end of the outburst. Nearly Headless Nick shuddered as he drifted past, wisely deciding that this was most definitely not a good time to visit the Headmaster.

A/N: So here it is, a bit later than i meant it but hopefully worth the wait :P

Thanks to StrawberriesAndCinnamonJAM, redstickbonbon, cytankee, doscabezas and knigity for the reviews :)

This chapter should hopefully put me over 1000 views (seeing as i'm on 900 and there were over 100 on the day that i posted chapter 7 then it definitely should) and so to celebrate that i thought i'd do a little competition- don't know if anyone'll care but hey :P - once i reach 1000 views then i'll write a oneshot suggested by one of you guys in a review- it has to be Harry Potter, not necessarily Aries Sirius Black though and just to warn you, i'm pretty rubbish at writing romance :D

so yeah, please review telling me what you thought of this latest chapter and with your suggestions for my one-shot :D