LXIV: Debate and Dissension

LXIV: Debate and Dissension

Minerva sat rigidly at the table, watching as the others slowly filed out or stood in small knots, talking. This had to go on record as one of the more uncomfortable meetings that she had attended in a very long time. It started badly when Professor Dustern sneered at her and asked her why she was sitting where she was, up near the head of the table. Fortunately, Gertrude, whose idea it had been that Minerva sit there, responded in such a way as to leave Dustern no choice but to take a seat grudgingly and seethe silently.

Gertrude had suggested that, in order to show their support for Dumbledore, she, Minerva, and Slughorn should sit up by the Headmaster. Normally, the Deputy sat on one side of the Headmaster and the Heads of House sat, if they desired, up at the head of table beside them. Minerva didn't know what Dustern was so fussed about; she usually sat at the other end of the table, anyway. So Gertrude sat on Albus's left, Minerva on his right, and Slughorn next to Gertrude. Johannes took the chair next to Minerva and smiled at her amicably. Wilhelmina sat in her usual spot in the middle of the table, and Dustern sat disagreeably beside Slughorn.

After the first outpouring of sympathy for Pretnick and relief that no one else had been injured or infected – other than the werewolf that Pretnick had been forced to kill – the meeting took a decided turn for the worse. Other than Hagrid, Johannes, and Wilhelmina, it seemed that no one fully supported Albus's desire to keep Pretnick on as Defence teacher. Flitwick may have supported the idea, but it seemed he was trying to remain diplomatic about it, given that he was not yet actually on the staff. Of the others, there were a few who were willing to give it some thought, but there were also a few very vocal nay-sayers, among them, Dustern, Evandras, Perlecta, Herder, and Ogg.

It turned out that Madam Perlecta had been attacked by a werewolf as a child and, although no one had been bitten in that attack and the werewolf had been subdued without having to kill it, she remained so deathly afraid of them that she declared that, much as she felt sorry for young Robert, she would have to leave Hogwarts herself if he remained on staff. Ogg had some rather nasty things to say about non-humans, completely unaware of the impact his words were having on his assistant. Evandras and Herder were opposed to even considering any way of keeping him on staff because of the potential danger to the children, which they saw as very real no matter what safeguards Dumbledore might put into place. The others voiced concerns similar to those of Evandras and Herder, and which Minerva had raised with Albus that morning. Albus answered them as well as possible, and a few people seemed open to exploring the possibility of keeping him on staff, although they were not yet convinced of its practicability.

It hadn't helped that Slughorn's responses to questions about the potion were imprecise and hedged with notes of caution. Minerva couldn't completely blame the Potions master, however, as he had not yet received a return owl from Belby and so couldn't articulate the exact effects and potency of the experimental potion. Minerva thought that if they had been able to say definitively that there was a potion that would make the werewolf safe during the full moon and was also safe for Pretnick to take, they may have made more headway with the fence-sitters.

Both Gertrude and Minerva had interjected supportive comments at appropriate intervals, but it became evident that no one who wasn't already amenable to Dumbledore's proposal would be persuaded. Finally, Minerva, fearing that more discussion might simply result in losing the support of the few who were amenable to Dumbledore's plan, made a suggestion.

"Perhaps we should set a small committee to consider the matter and look at all of the arguments both pro and con and then reconvene in a week or two," Minerva said.

"And who would comprise this committee, precisely?" asked Dustern. "Hand-picked to present only the view the Headmaster favours, no doubt."

"No, not at all. I was actually going to suggest that the committee members represent those in favour, those opposed, and those who are unsure," Minerva said evenly.

"I agree with Minerva," Gertrude said. "If we are to proceed – whether with this or some other plan – we need to have an unbiased examination of the proposal, and perhaps even to devise a counter-proposal that presents an option other than simply abandoning our fellow staff member to his lot. I believe Professor Pretnick deserves that much from us, particularly considering the circumstances in which he came to be afflicted with the infection."

Dustern snorted. "Well, it should be none of my concern, as I will soon be leaving, but I do not believe that there is any way to have a werewolf on staff in any capacity. But given this Headmaster's predilection for hiring criminals, rogues, half-breeds, and Squibs, it can hardly come as a surprise to anyone that the next step is hiring beasts. In a few years, we'll have a house-elf teaching Charms, a garden gnome teaching Herbology, a Muggle teaching the History of Magic, and a centaur teaching Divination."

Minerva couldn't help but notice the look on Hagrid's face by the end of Dustern's speech. Others were looking on in distaste; Flitwick's eyebrows raised slightly at the mention of "half-breeds," and Ogg flushed at the mention of Squibs, but Hagrid looked devastated. He seemed fully recovered from his ordeal all those years ago after the Chamber of Secrets was opened, but it clearly still stung. Minerva didn't know which reference bothered him more, the one to criminals or to half-breeds, but it certainly confirmed Minerva's low opinion of Dustern.

"I am surprised that you did not also mention damned foreigners, Katherine," Johannes said softly. "There are many of us here who would be much worse off if it wasn't for our Headmaster. Or dead, speaking for my own case. This is an institution of education. We should be dedicated to enlightenment and the betterment of society; the retention of prejudices runs counter to those goals. If there is good, rational argument against keeping Robert here on staff, it must be considered. But prejudice has no place at this table, nor do ad hominem attacks on our Headmaster or fellow staff members. . . . And, as you say, Katherine, you will no longer be on staff in a few weeks."

Minerva wanted to cheer the German Herbology teacher's quiet words and was gratified when several other members of the staff, including Binns, murmured, "Hear, hear!"

The meeting came to a close shortly thereafter, a committee having been formed to consider the situation and any possible solutions. Fortunately, Dustern would not be on it, since she would be leaving, and Birnbaum, Wilhelmina, and Flitwick would be; Minerva felt that Flitwick was favourably disposed to Dumbledore, despite not having taken a clear position during the earlier discussion. Madam Perlecta, Professor Herder, and Professor James made up the rest of the committee. Minerva genuinely hoped they could arrive at a solution that everyone on the staff could support and that would give Pretnick some kind of position, even if he couldn't stay as Defence teacher. It would give him something to look forward to.

Minerva stood as she saw Hagrid make his way from the back of the room, trying unsuccessfully to look inconspicuous. It was clear to Minerva that he was still upset. Perhaps his current problems, whatever they were, had rendered him more sensitive to Dustern's jibes. As he passed by her, Minerva took his arm.

"All right, there, Hagrid?" she asked quietly.

The half-giant tried to smile. "Fine, P'rfesser McGonagall, jest fine."

Minerva looked at him with concern, but this was not the time or place to delve into his personal troubles. "Good, then . . . would you like some company later? We could talk. . . ."

"Ta, P'rfesser, but I got things t'be doin'." He smiled, slightly more successfully this time. "Not that yer no' welcome any time, but it's no matter fer yer concern, and I got me job t'be abou'."

"All right, Hagrid. Perhaps we'll see each other at lunch, then – it's in the Great Hall again."

Hagrid nodded and wandered off. Minerva turned to look around. There were only a few people left. Gertrude was talking to Pringle about something – nasty man. Minerva couldn't imagine anyone choosing to speak with him of their own accord. They would be bringing on an assistant for him in the autumn. He wasn't falling in line with the new Headmaster's ways very readily, and Albus thought that bringing on an assistant might halve the chances of the caretaker out-and-out disobeying the new rules he was laying down. Minerva thought Pringle – she couldn't bring herself to call him Appolyon as Albus did – was a sneaky, devious sort, and would try to get away with whatever he could. He wouldn't openly undermine Albus – and despite others' opinions about caretakers and those in similar positions, Minerva knew it was perfectly possible for someone as apparently low-placed as he to wreck a lot of damage if he wished to – but he would likely do whatever he could to skirt the new regime and do things the way he always had done them.

Minerva remembered how, when as a third-year she had tearfully told Albus of the way that two of her fellow Gryffindors had been hung by their ankles and had their legs beaten with a stick for having been caught out ten minutes past curfew on their way back from the library, he hadn't credited her story. Albus believed that Minerva believed it, of course, but he thought such punishments had been abolished since he had been a student. When he learned she had told the unembellished truth, he was furious with the man, and ordered him to bring any miscreant Gryffindors to him and any students from other Houses to their respective Heads and only they could prescribe any punishment. It was not up to the caretaker to determine punishments. Unfortunately, if a staff member sent a student to Pringle and told him to decide what their punishment would be, he felt he had carte blanche.

Albus had worked on Dippet and the Board of Governors to abolish all corporal punishment, but had only succeeded in getting Dippet to create greater limitations on what was allowed. When he became Headmaster, Albus had further limited corporal punishment: now only a teacher could administer any corporal punishment, it must be delivered nonmagically, and it could not cause any bruising, open wounds, or permanent injury, including scarring. He further banned a very long list of instruments that could not be used, including the entire catalogue of instruments found in the caretaker's office. He would have completely banned all forms of corporal punishment if it weren't for certain of the Governors who already were disgruntled by his unilateral actions.

Minerva rather doubted that all of the staff members were going to abide by these rules. The staff who had never used corporal punishment would not be affected, and those who thought that what had been good enough for them as children was good enough for succeeding generations would find ways around Dumbledore's rules. Minerva would be happiest once the worst of the lot was out, retired like Dustern or simply moving on, as Birnbaum and Wilhelmina were – though Minerva would miss the latter two teachers.

Unsure of what Albus expected of her next, Minerva decided to stay and talk to him. Perhaps she could help him in someway. She didn't know whether Gertrude was staying at the school or not, but if she had gone to her home and retrieved summer-weight robes, she might very well be staying on indefinitely. In that case, Albus might not need her help. But there had to be something that she could do . . . if he said there was nothing, she would ask Gertrude if she could help her. Helping her would be helping Albus, after all, much as she disliked the thought of having Gertrude between them. Minerva reminded herself sternly that she and Albus were friends, but they had no claim on each other's lives – Gertrude had her place in Albus's life, too, and she would just have to live with that as she had for the past several months.

She tried to catch Albus's eye, but he was deep in conversation with Gertrude and Birnbaum and didn't appear to see her. Only the four of them remained in the staff room. Gertrude was saying something about democracy being a fine ideal, but that Albus should consider being a little less democratic about running Hogwarts, and Birnbaum added something about balancing firm decision-making with a desire for harmony and unity. Perhaps it would be better if she went to his office later. Minerva didn't want to appear to be hanging about for no discernable reason. And she didn't want to seem to be demanding his time and attention when it was so evident that he was busy dealing with important school matters, either.

Minerva looked up from her ruminations when she heard her name.

"Perhaps Professor McGonagall could be enlisted for that." It was Gertrude. Minerva's stomach filled with butterflies. Was Gertrude volunteering her for something? Would she send her away from the castle so that she could have Albus to herself? Minerva barely had time to register her anxiety when Albus replied.

"That is a fine idea," he said, turning toward Minerva, "if Minerva agrees, of course. We have been discussing the constitution of the committee."

It had been agreed that Albus would present his proposal in detail to the committee at the first meeting, then leave the committee to their discussions. He would be available to rejoin them at any point if they had questions for him, but he would not attend subsequent meetings unless invited to. Nonetheless, Gertie believed that the Headmaster should have an ex officio representative on the committee, someone to represent his point-of-view and report to him on the committee's discussions. The staff had agreed that Albus should have someone attend the meetings and report to him. Minerva – and everyone else at the meeting – had instantly thought that Gertrude would be that representative.

"Gertrude has just suggested that you serve as my representative on the committee. Do not feel obligated, my dear, but I do think you would do well."

Minerva didn't know what to think, it was so unexpected. "Are you sure, Professor? Professor Gamp – "

" – has pointed out a few excellent reasons why someone else should play that role. Johannes cannot, since he is already a member of the committee, and he cannot simultaneously debate the issues, suggest counter-proposals, and the like, and represent me, as well." Albus hesitated. "I know you still have your own doubts, Minerva. If you believe it would be too difficult to set aside your own questions and concerns and represent me effectively, I can certainly understand and respect that."

"No, no, I think I could do that without a problem. I know I can raise my concerns with you privately, after all." Inexplicably, Minerva felt herself blushing. "I would be honoured to represent you on the committee. We should meet and go over everything. I need to make sure I understand your proposal in its entirety. Do you have time now?"

Albus's hesitation was perceptible. Was he changing his mind? "No, not right now. I will contact you later today and arrange a meeting. I assume you are available all day?"

"Yes, of course. That would be fine." The committee was holding its first meeting that evening. Minerva supposed she knew enough to make it through the first meeting even with only a short preparation time. She would have to make notes to bring with her . . . it would have been nice to have more time, but Albus was attending the first part of the meeting, so hopefully there wouldn't be any time for questions she couldn't answer. Of course, as Minerva had learned at the Ministry, the best way to deal with questions one couldn't answer was to say so, promise to look into it, and then actually follow through with an answer at the next opportunity. Some people thought that blustering through with a non-answer, others thought that admitting ignorance was sufficient, but she found people respected you most when you did your best to answer their questions, whether at that moment or later, if necessary. She would be fine. She just hoped that she didn't disappoint Albus.

"Good, then. Thank you! I'll be in touch . . . send an owl or a house-elf with a message, all right, my dear?" He smiled at Minerva, then turned back to Gertrude and Birnbaum.

Minerva nodded dumbly at the back of his head. Well, he was distracted by all this, and very busy. He no doubt had good reason for speaking to the other two . . . and dismissing her. He was entrusting her with being his representative on the committee, after all. He could have insisted that Gertie do it – if he were adamant about it, Minerva was certain that Gertrude would do it, whatever her objections had been. She shouldn't be so sensitive, Minerva thought; if it weren't for It, she wouldn't have thought twice about the Headmaster's behaviour, she was sure. Remembering her resolution to visit Hagrid and find out what was bothering him, Minerva rose, said good-bye to the other three, who all turned, smiling, and wished her a good morning. She set off for Hagrid's cabin, transforming into her Animagus form as she left the castle and bounding across the lawns to find him, hoping to be able to be able to offer her friend a sympathetic ear.