Three hours after she sent the reply to the Potters McGonagall wasn't surprised when her office door opened and Albus Dumbledore entered. "Good afternoon Minerva, do you have a moment? I'd like to discuss a few matters with you?"
"Of course Albus."
With a wave of the Headmaster's wand, the normally uncomfortable chair that sat in front of her desk became a soft cushioned chintz armchair.
"Well Minerva," Dumbledore said kindly as he settled into the chair. "How are the new students coming along?"
"Without Ollivander, wands are an issue, but they are managing," Minerva said. "The rest of the supplies are readily available though I'm not sure for how long. A lot of the stores are closing. I think we should try to get the muggleborn through Diagon Alley as quickly as possible."
"Yes, that might be best."
"On the other hand, the stores which are closing are selling their wares cheap and students are getting good bargains."
"Excellent, and of course the schedules are completed as far as you can?"
"No more can be done until the OWL results are compiled and the new sixth years have selected their courses.
"Of course," Dumbledore replied. "I knew that would be the case since your dedication to the students and the school has always been outstanding."
Minerva felt the surge of pride she always got when she received such compliments, but this time she grew suspicious and wasn't surprised at the Headmaster's next words.
"Though speaking of the sixth years, I'm very much concerned with your plans to remove Ron Weasley as prefect."
"Oh?" Minerva responded as her suspicions were proven correct. "I thought I was quite clear on my reasons the last time we spoke."
"Yes, you mentioned complaints about the young man, but all of them were made at the end of the school year. Surely you see that with the stress of the OWLs along with what he saw as betrayal of his friends, he might have difficulties? Besides, Arthur and Molly would be devastated by the news."
Minerva knew that had she not received Hermione's letters, Dumbledore's argument might have swayed her to some degree, especially following the compliment he'd given her but now she was ready to argue the point fervently. "Yes, the end of the year was definitely filled with challenges, but," Minerva paused. She had been about to say Mrs. Potter since she knew the Headmaster would definitely know if the Weasleys knew, but she didn't want to give away the letter. "Miss Granger said his deficiencies occurred all during the year."
"We both know it is Mrs. Potter," Albus said as he leaned toward McGonagall. "I am very disappointed you felt the need to keep that information from me."
"You have spoken with Hermione then?" Minerva asked trying to put a hint of surprise in her voice. "If you have, then I'm sure she also told you she asked me not to tell you."
"Yes, but matters such as this should..."
"Matters such as what?" Minerva asked sharply cutting off the Headmaster. "She and Harry were not asking for anything that constituted a requirement upon the school. Their biggest concern was to hide the fact of the bonding. Bringing the matter out could have also caused them serious harm with Umbridge. Besides, they asked me point blank if I would tell you if they told me something," Minerva again paused. "Would you have me lie to my students?"
"I...we, I mean, are responsible for the students' safety Minerva..."
"This had nothing to do with safety," McGonagall argued. "This was entirely a private matter between two students."
"Nevertheless, please ensure other matters concerning Harry and Hermione are brought to my attention in the future."
"IF it relates to Hogwarts I will of course do so," Minerva answered firmly. "Now I do believe we have wavered from our original discussion?"
Dumbledore knew she was changing the subject and paused, but finally he nodded. "Yes, Mr. Weasley. Obviously you see that Mrs. Potter's complaints concerning Ronald were probably more from their falling out than any real deficiencies on his part."
"And the other prefects' complaints were because of the end of the year pressures?"
Dumbledore beamed. "Exactly. I'm glad you're seeing the matter for what it truly is."
Minerva stared at the Headmaster for several seconds before she replied. "I used to admire you tremendously Albus, but now I have to wonder how many times you've sat in that chair and lied to me or purposely mislead me? You see, Mrs. Potter wrote me a letter last evening. Were you even going to mention the two Weasley students attempt at potioning the Potters?"
Dumbledore's face lost the smile that had just appeared, but he recovered quickly. "It was just a foolish attempt by an infatuated young girl, nothing of consequence."
"Nothing of consequence?" Minerva was on the attack now as she pulled out the second sheet of the letter from Hermione. "Here are the potions they were attempting to use. There is NOTHING about these potions that suggests foolishness. I will NOT let Ronald Weasley continue in a position of authority over other students when he conspired to use these potions."
"Minerva..." Dumbledore started.
McGonagall wasn't about to let Dumbledore get a rebuttal in until she was finished so she ignored him as she continued. "Last year you argued that Harry Potter had too much happening in his life to be a Prefect and unfortunately, I allowed you to convince me of that. I will do what is right this year and if you try to override my decision on this, I will take the matter to the school board. If I do that, I'm quite sure this matter," McGonagall indicated the list of potions, "will get out and we'll have to expel both of the Weasley children. Would you prefer to tell Arthur and Molly that their youngest girl is going to have her wand snapped?"
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