Where professors discuss.
McGONAGALL IV
"This is out of question!"
The reply blurted out of her mouth immediately. Minerva was standing next to Albus in his office. The Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Snape, all the Heads of House, stood with her and their Headmaster, facing the lone visitor who did not look impressed at all by this demonstration. They were supposed to receive Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and Dumbledore had kindly asked them all to join him, as he suspected this discussion may turn around the presence of Dementors around Hogwarts. Albus was right about the subject of the meeting, but he was wrong about the person with who it would take place. Minerva and Filius, along with Rubeus, had spoken with the Minister earlier this day, at Hogsmeade, but it seemed like the Minister, who wanted to discuss with Dumbledore in the evening, was called for an urgent matter, and instead sent someone else to represent him. As a result, it was an austere woman, with a stern expression, who stood facing them, and she didn't seem intimidated the least by her numerical inferiority.
"I wouldn't have used the same words Professor McGonagall just spoke, Madam Bones, but I agree with her. We cannot let the Dementors wander anywhere near our students, especially not on the school grounds," Dumbledore declared.
The face of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement didn't betray any emotion or reaction. But she kept looking at Albus.
"Professor Dumbledore, this would only be at night, when the students are sleeping and are not to be found outside the walls of this school. We would limit the Dementors' field of action outside of daytime and outside the school properly."
"And what if they decide to wander near the windows and this affects the children?" Professor Sprout asked, obviously against the idea just like Minerva was. "What if they came near your niece?"
"We can find ways to avoid this from happening. And keep my niece out of this discussion," Amelia said threateningly.
"Madam Bones, I'm afraid this is not something that I am ready to consider, and I don't see how I could be ready to consider it someday," Albus said, still calm and amicable, but firm. "The Dementors so far have caused great chaos among our students, and have proved to be more of a danger to them rather than an actual help."
"One of our students almost died because of them," McGonagall said, remembering the fall Potter made during the Quidditch match. "And it was the student the Dementors are supposed to protect the most."
"You don't need to remind me of what happened that day. I know very well about these events, and we already apologized and took necessary precautions to ensure that it wouldn't happen again," Amelia Bones replied, still unflinching. "But the circumstances have changed. Peter Pettigrew was spotted nearby. A Muggle saw him in a motel, in a small village that is less than ten kilometres from here. We must assume that he will try to sneak inside Hogwarts."
"Why hasn't the Ministry informed the population yet?" Snape asked in his soft voice.
"To not cause further chaos. And also to give Pettigrew the impression that he's still invisible. This way, we can position our people to catch him without making him aware that we are waiting for him."
"You mean that you're using Hogwarts as a bait?" Minerva asked, unbelieving.
"We're trying to catch a dangerous criminal who can turn himself into a rat. I'm trying to find ways to increase the likelihood of us catching him and the safety of your students, while keeping them away from the Dementors. I thought we could try to work on a compromise."
Albus Dumbledore stood up at this moment, still calm and smiling. "I thank you very much for coming and for extending such an offer, Madam Bones, but my stance has always been clear and it remains the same. Dementors will not be allowed on the school grounds. There is nothing to discuss about it."
If Amelia Bones was upset about this refusal, she didn't show it. Not a single muscle moved on her face. "If this is your stance, then so be it, Professor Dumbledore. We will renew our orders to the Dementors to stay out of Hogwarts grounds. However, the Ministry has already decided to bring back their numbers to their previous capacity. I promise they will remain at the entrances."
Minerva felt something heavy fall into her stomach. The Ministry had accepted to reduce the number of Dementors patrolling around Hogwarts after the accident of the Quidditch match, as a sign of good will and apology. Now they went back on their promise. Dumbledore, however, didn't seem affected by this decision.
"As you wish. I guess, in this case, that there is nothing further to discuss," he said.
"I'm afraid not," Amelia replied shortly. She looked at her watch. "If you don't mind, I still have work to do."
"Of course. Professor McGonagall, would you kindly escort Madam Bones to the gates?"
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore," she answered.
The two women left the Professors Dumbledore, Sprout, Snape and Flitwick behind, getting out of Dumbledore's office together without a word. They travelled the school's corridors in silence. It was only once outside the walls that Minerva broke this silence.
"Amelia," she began, "please tell me that you don't seriously believe that having Dementors roving around the castle is a good idea."
"I was looking for a way to make a compromise," she replied. "Some people at the Ministry would like Dementors to patrol the corridors of the school." The thought sent shivers down Minerva's spine. "But I admit that I don't like the idea of Dementors hovering around my niece."
This reassured Minerva. Back when she was a student at Hogwarts, Amelia proved to be talented, serious, respectful of the rules, and honest. She was one of the best students of her year, and even obtained the position of Head Girl during her last year. She was glad to see that she came to Hogwarts as a representative of the Ministry, not as the actual proponent of this solution. Minerva didn't doubt a single second that Fudge could have sent her to present the project because he feared Dumbledore's hostility to the proposal.
"I saw my niece today, at Hogsmeade," the woman declared. "She told me about that accident in November. I'm really sorry for Mr Potter. He's one of your students, isn't he?"
"Yes," Minerva confirmed. He was more than a student in her eyes, truth be told, even though Minerva tried to never give him any privileged treatment.
"I apologize. We really are doing everything to make sure such an event does not happen again."
"It better not happen again," Minerva said coldly.
"And it better not come to the attention of too many students that Remus Lupin is a werewolf." Amelia Bones had stopped in her tracks. Minerva imitated her. As always, Amelia's expression was very serious. "You told me that you hid Lupin's secret because you were afraid of the way the students might look at him, and of the panic movement it might start."
"Yes. And if you were to look at his records, if you saw how Professor Lupin performed since the term started, you would find…"
"I'm not questioning his qualities as a teacher. Anyway, there's been no accident, and my niece herself told me he's the best teacher she's ever had. However, you should know that there are at least two students who are aware of his condition."
Minerva's heart pounded quickly. "What are you saying?"
"Two students, to my knowledge, know that Remus Lupin is a werewolf. Maybe more, but I'm not aware whether there are others."
"Who knows?" All the staff kept this a secret, to make sure that Remus could provide the best education to all students. If this was to be known among students, Minerva was afraid that Remus didn't have much time left at Hogwarts.
"My niece, Susan, has known about it since the beginning of the term. I told her. But she swears that she told no one, and I believe her."
"You told your niece about Professor Lupin's condition?" Minerva asked, unbelieving. How could Amelia do such a thing? Entrust such a secret to a child.
"Yes, I did. I wasn't sure what to expect of him, so I told her so she would be careful around him. It seems that my fears were unfounded though, and Susan didn't talk about this to anybody. However, she learned that another student found out the truth about Lupin. It's a student from Gryffindor, that's why I'm telling you. Her name is Hermione Granger."
Why didn't this surprise Minerva? "And your niece is certain about this?"
"Yes. But what is strange is how this other girl found out the truth. Apparently, the Professor Lupin missed a class because it was the full moon, and his substitute decided to give his students an entire lesson, along with a very long homework, on werewolves. If you want to keep Lupin's state a secret, I think it would be a subject to avoid in class."
Minerva was caught by surprise. She wasn't aware of that. What kind of fool had the idea to give a lesson on werewolves when Lupin was absent because he was a werewolf?
"Do you happen to know who gave this lesson on werewolves?"
Amelia seemed surprised. "I thought you would know. Well, my niece was in this class, and she received the same homework from the Potions teacher."
Minerva did her best to not show her surprise. "Severus Snape?"
"Yes," Amelia replied coldly. "I'm not sure if I should feel reassured that Albus Dumbledore trusts him. Because either this former Death Eater did this with his consent, or he did it without his consent. In the first case, I'm worried about Dumbledore's judgement, and in the second case, I'm worried that he misplaced his trust into such a man."
They were not far from the gates. Amelia walked towards them, but she turned one last time towards Minerva before she left the school grounds. "My niece likes Professor Lupin. If he is really inoffensive, I would rather appreciate if you ensured that he could remain at his position."
And on that, Amelia Bones left the fields of Hogwarts.
Fifteen minutes later, Minerva, Pomona, Severus, Remus and Albus Dumbledore were all gathered within the office of the latter. Minerva just finished telling them what Amelia Bones told her earlier, and the reactions were mixed. Pomona looked horrified and stunned. Snape's expression was hard to decipher, but Minerva knew him well enough to detect a hint of exuberance, and the phantom of a smirk.
"It seems like your little secret is impossible to keep, Lupin," the Potions Master declared.
Albus remained impassive and calm, crossing his fingers. Remus, to her great surprise, didn't show any sign of fear or panic. To the contrary, he smiled.
"So, Hermione and Susan have found out the truth." Minerva didn't know what was amusing in this situation, for Remus truly seemed to find the situation entertaining. "Well, for Susan, I can understand, given that her aunt knew about it. But Hermione? I wonder how she found out."
"You should ask it to your colleague," Minerva coldly said, looking at Severus. "What were you thinking about when you gave a lesson about werewolves the very day that Professor Lupin was absent, during a full moon? And to ask his students to write a long essay about how to recognize a werewolf? Really?"
Pomona looked in utter shock at Severus, who seemed to shrug off Minerva's questions. "I tried to teach them something at their level, something that Professor Lupin failed to do since the beginning of this very year by teaching his students first-year lessons even when they are preparing their O.W.L.s."
"Well, it is true that my lessons are not always what we could expect for their years," Lupin replied in all honesty, "but without wanting to be disrespectful towards previous teachers, I'm afraid Professor Lockhart almost taught nothing to his students last year, and that Professor Quirrell didn't teach them much either. I tried to adapt my classes in consequence."
"And you did it very well," Minerva reassured him, wanting to protect a colleague when he was attacked, even when it was by another colleague. But she turned her attention back to Snape. "But really, Severus? You really thought that there were no risks that some students might find out about Professor Lupin's condition when you gave them this lesson?"
"Not really. They are so stupid and late in their curriculum that none of them would earn their O.W.L. in Defence Against the Dark Arts if they were to be assessed under the appropriate criteria," Snape declared.
"That may be what you think, but you were at least wrong about one of them. Miss Granger knows about Professor Lupin's condition now. Did you give this lesson in the hope that someone would find out the truth?"
For a long moment, Minerva and Severus stared at each other. The Potions Master took his time to answer, but when he did it was on a hard, unflinching voice. "If I wanted someone to find out about Lupin's state, I would simply tell them, instead of playing ridiculous games. And I would certainly not have coerced Miss Bones into keeping the silence when I discovered that she was aware of Lupin's condition. So unless you have nothing else but baseless accusations that put into question my teaching methods, I suggest you stay in your classroom, and I'll stay in mine, Minerva."
She didn't answer, but she didn't flinch either. She maintained Severus' stare. Some time ago, and it wasn't that long ago when they thought about it, this man was her student. A very good student, but a troubled one, who tagged along others who all became servants of You-Know-Who, and who already displayed a clear fondness for intimidation and cruelty, even for a Slytherin.
"And I suggest that you listen to your students more attentively, Severus. Because they are almost unanimous in saying that Professor Lupin is not only their best professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts they ever had, but also probably their best teacher, final point. So you would be better to not question his teaching methods, especially when they proved so successful."
"Being loved by your students is no proof of being a good teacher. It is only proof that you want to be friends with them, as turbulent, rule-breaking and arrogant they might be," he countered.
"That's enough. Minerva, Severus, this has gone far enough," Albus then said. Minerva turned to her Headmaster.
"Sorry, Professor Dumbledore," she said.
"No need to apologize. That doesn't help us. We have two students who know about Remus, to our knowledge. There might be more. Minerva, I want you to talk with Miss Granger. Pomona, do the same with Miss Bones. Explain the situation to them, and make them promise to not talk about it to anybody. And find out if they told anyone." Dumbledore then turned towards the Head of the Slytherin House. "As for you, Severus, I expected better from you. Whatever were your intentions when you gave this class and this homework, it was clearly a huge mistake that someone of your intelligence should have avoided. From now on, your service will no longer be required when Remus finds himself ill. I expect you to be more careful in ensuring Lupin's secret indeed remains a secret. Am I clear enough?"
"Very clear, professor," Snape replied coldly. "Am I allowed to leave?"
"You are."
On that, Severus Snape left. Albus turned to Remus then. "I can tell you, Remus, and I am sure that Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall here will agree with me, that your performance as a teacher so far has proved to be more than satisfactory."
"I thank you, Professor Dumbledore," Lupin replied. "But don't feel forced to say that after Professor Snape criticized my methods. I didn't expect to be unanimously approved when I came here."
"Well, you are," Pomona assured him. "By your colleagues, and your students as well."
"I'm flattered, Professor Sprout, but I know that I'm not liked by some students. And Severus is not factually wrong when he says there is more to being a good teacher than being liked by his students."
"It doesn't matter, Remus," Dumbledore declared. "You have my support, and as long as this is the case, you will have a place here."
"Not if all the students and their parents learn the truth." Lupin smiled again. "I should have guessed that Hermione would find out the truth, sooner or later. She's really the cleverest witch of her age I've ever met."
Although Minerva could agree with Lupin about it, she thought there were more important things for now. "But we must ensure that your condition does not become known to all the students. Two who know, it's already too much," she said.
"Perhaps it's inevitable that they all discover it eventually. I'm ill too often for no one to ever wonder why this happens. And the moment they look at the dates, they'll find out something is wrong."
"But we will make sure this secret is not revealed too quickly, as much as possible," Albus declared. "Pomona, Minerva, I may be too old, so I'll repeat in case I imagined myself telling you, but even if I did tell you before, it will be a good reminder. Talk to Miss Bones and Miss Granger. And be gentle with them. Severus can be hard, sometimes."
"Of course, Albus. I'll talk to Miss Granger before she leaves tomorrow," Minerva assured him.
"But the students are leaving early in the morning for the holidays. How will you do that?" Pomona asked.
"I'll have a short discussion with her very early. It will not be a problem with her. Miss Granger always finds time for everything."
Minerva McGonagall went back to her chambers, and indeed, the following morning, very early, before any other student was up, Miss Granger was standing in front of her desk in her office, ready for the day.
"Professor McGonagall. You said you wanted to see me before I left?" she said.
"Yes, Miss Granger. Please sit."
The young girl quietly sat down, and looked at Professor McGonagall as if she expected to be scolded.
"Have I done something wrong, Professor?"
"No, Miss Granger. Unless there's something you would like to tell me."
"No, Professor," the girl replied. Minerva wasn't sure if it was true. Miss Granger might be the most law-abiding of them, but she regularly got herself into all kinds of trouble with her two best friends all the same. However, she wasn't chasing after rule breaking for now.
"Very well. You must be in a hurry to go back home, Miss Granger, so I'll go straight to the matter. It has come to our attention that you recently discovered something about one of your teachers. More precisely about Professor Lupin, if we're not wrong."
The young student was agape immediately. "Professor… I…"
"It's alright. You're not in any kind of trouble. In fact, I wanted to see if there was something I could do to reassure you, Miss Granger. If you had any question."
Hermione Granger didn't seem to know what to say for a moment. Then she spoke. "So… you know? And the other professors, Professor Dumbledore, they all know?"
"Ever since the term began. Some of us have known about it for years, since the time Remus Lupin was a student at Hogwarts. Is there any concern that you have and you would like to share with me?" Minerva asked in front of the confused expression of Miss Granger.
"Well… How can you manage to be sure that we will not be… I know that Professor Lupin is someone good… I don't think he would harm any of us…"
"On that you are right, Miss Granger."
"Not intentionally, at least. But at the full moon, when he changes, how does he… how do you make sure nothing happens?"
These were legitimate questions. Minerva answered them the best she could. "Professor Lupin is locked somewhere he cannot harm anyone, either a student of a staff member, during the whole full moon. We also provide him with a potion that enables him to control himself during his transformation. Believe me, Miss Granger, Professor Dumbledore would not have hired a werewolf if he thought he could be any danger to you or any of your comrades."
Miss Granger nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Professor."
"Good. Now that you seem reassured, Miss Granger, I need to know: have you talked about this to anybody?"
"No, professor. Well, I discussed it with Susan, but she…"
"Professor Sprout is already discussing with Miss Bones. And we are aware of how she came to know about Professor Lupin. But you haven't talked about it with anyone else? Not even your parents, or your best friends?"
"No! I would never tell that to my parents. They wouldn't understand. They're Muggles. As for Ron and Harry… Well, I thought about telling Harry, but I didn't think it was a good idea. I mean, he knows Professor Lupin personally. So if he didn't tell Harry, there must be a good reason."
"And there is, indeed, Miss Granger. Professor Lupin is very professional, and careful with his condition. He asked for most of the safety measures that were implemented to make sure he would never endanger any student. He was Prefect when he was studying here, and back then he was already a werewolf. So I must demand that you keep the truth about his state for yourself, and to not talk about it to anybody. From what I gathered, you've been aware of Professor Lupin's condition for over a month now, and you haven't shared this information with anybody. I demand you continue in this way," McGonagall said kindly and calmly, but also firmly.
"Of course, Professor," Hermione Granger replied, and Minerva believed her.
"Good. Then I suggest you go and prepare what's left of your luggage before the Hogwarts Express leaves."
"Thank you, Professor."
Miss Granger left on these words, in a hurry. She was always rushing everywhere these times. There were moments that Minerva regretted all the procedures she followed and the letters she wrote to the Ministry to get her a Time-Turner. McGonagall was really not favorable to the idea of a student using that kind of magic. Time was a very dangerous tool to play with. But Miss Granger was so insistent on following all the subjects this year that McGonagall relented. Still, it was obvious that her busy schedule was taxing over her. She asked her more than once if she felt alright, if the Time-Turner worked correctly, and at every turn, Miss Granger replied that everything was fine. As long as she wouldn't complain about her schedule, Minerva supposed she could let the girl follow this way. She didn't want to deprive such a talented and working student from the chance to follow all the courses she wanted, if that was her wish. McGonagall had worked very hard when she was a student as well, and she wasn't very tempted to stop another young girl to do the same. Though she sometimes worried if Miss Granger would not burn herself with all the work she put on her shoulders. Well, she would have time to rest during the Christmas holidays, just like Minerva would.
Minerva McGonagall didn't take her breakfast this morning. Students' departure for their home was always a logistical challenge, requiring collaboration between the staff of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade authorities. Things were made even more complicated this year by the presence of the Dementors, and the knowledge of Peter Pettigrew being close to the castle made additional safety measures essential. As a result, all teachers would have to escort the hundreds of students who would take the Hogwarts Express today, while ensuring that the Dementors remained at a respectful distance from them.
These things were currently searching the train, but they would leave it before the students walked in and return to their position around Hogwarts' perimeter. Some were also stationed around the entrances to Hogsmeade. And there were also Aurors and other Ministry's employees who would be present, most of them hidden, to ensure the safety of the students, and catch Pettigrew if he ever dared to show up.
As Minerva watched over the students who climbed into the carriages that would carry them to the Hogsmeade station, she thought about the time the small Peter Pettigrew would climb into one of these carriages, accompanied by his best friends: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and James Potter.
It had been some time since she last saw the young Sirius. He might be a man today, but Minerva always thought of him as the young kid who arrived at Hogwarts more than twenty years ago. As Miss Hermione Granger, Mr Ronald Weasley, his twin brothers and Mr Neville Longbottom entered a carriage along with Mr Potter, Minerva remembered how his father and godfather always managed to get themselves into trouble. These students were brilliant, but undisciplined. Lupin's behavior was better, the voice of reason in the small group. In some way, the dynamic between those three mirrored that between the young Potter, Weasley and Granger. Harry was very like his father. Although much less turbulent, he had a habit to get himself into trouble and to break rules, even if he had at least a shadow of good reason to do it, usually. Ronald Weasley had a comic side, similar to that of his twin brothers, although less extreme, which reminded her of Sirius Black. As for Hermione Granger, her logic, good sense, and rationality mirrored that of Lupin, although she could easily be brought into trouble by her friends, and even look for trouble herself. History seemed to repeat itself.
In some way, Minerva was glad that there was no one like Peter Pettigrew turning around Lily's son. Because that was what the young Peter had been doing. He followed James Potter and Sirius Black everywhere, always remaining in their shadows. Minerva was shocked when she was told, twelve years ago, that it was actually Pettigrew who betrayed James and Lily and sold them to You-Know-Who. She never would have expected it from such a frail, innocent being. Maybe she wasn't hard enough on him when he was at Hogwarts.
She watched the carriage with the young Harry inside going away. Most of the safety measures that were put into place today were for his own safety. Minerva prayed that they would be enough. And she especially prayed that they would have no other problems with the Dementors and Harry this time.
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