"There's no need to get embarrassed," shegently rebuked him. "You should be proud. Not only do you teach thematerial effectively, but you've managed to earn the respect of all of yourpeers. They listen to you and follow your directions without question orcomplaint. That's a remarkable feat for anyone, but especially for someone yourage. People don't give out respect lightly. It's something that has to beearned. And your students appear to think that you've earned it."
Harry met her gaze this time as he said, "Thankyou."
"That's better," she replied with a smile.
"This is nice," he told her. At her raisedeyebrow he continued, "Being able to just talk normally. I never thoughtI'd have a conversation like this with you or see you laugh. It's nice to see amore human side of you as opposed to the stern façade you always wear in classand around students."
She laughed lightly again and answered, "Yes, well,as I said people do not give out respect lightly. After several years ofteaching, I learned that the best way to ensure that your students didn't actup on you was to make sure they knew that you would not tolerate any foolishbehavior."
"Well it works wonderfully," Harry told herhonestly. "After that first class where Ron and I showed up late, I knewthat you were one teacher I did not want to get on the bad side of."
"May I ask you a question, Harry?" McGonagallasked him, tone turning serious once again.
"Of course," he replied evenly.
"What would you have done if Mr. Zabini had notmanaged to deflect Mr. Finnigan's curse?"
Harry replied without hesitation. "Detention withFilch for the both of them."
"Really?" she asked, surprised. Harry onlynodded in reply. "And do you seriously intend to remove the two from yourclass should they act up again."
"If they ever try something like that again, I won'thesitate to throw them out," he replied forcefully. "I've warned Ronenough times by now. He's never tried anything like that before, but he's lethis mouth run too many times already. It puts me in a tough position because Idon't want to make an example of him just because he's one of my best friends,but I also don't want to cut him a break for that reason either. But what hetried to do today was inexcusable. He's lucky I didn't throw him out right thenand there."
"You were very quick to respond, I noticed,"she commented.
"When I saw the three of them partnering up, Ifigured something was up. Ron and Seamus were both grinning like mad as well,not exactly hiding the fact that they were up to something very well,"Harry explained. "I thought about stepping in before they could tryanything, but I figured if it wasn't today it would only be next time or thetime after that. This was something we needed to get out of the way. And Ididn't want to alienate Blaise either."
"That's a very mature decision," his professorextolled. "You've grown up a lot this past year."
"You know, you're not the first person to tell methat," he replied wryly. "I guess when life keeps throwing obstaclesat you, you're left with little choice but to learn to tackle them." Harrywas reminded of when and why he had adopted that outlook on life. The prophecyhad been weighing on his mind, and he had been fretting over the fact that hewould have to face and defeat one of the most powerful wizards in the world.And he was only fifteen years old at the time, sixteen now, and was notreceiving any type of additional training to help prepare him for theinevitable confrontation. So he had decided to take matters into his own hands.It seemed like a lifetime ago to Harry, but it had only been a few months sincethen. Harry had already come a long way, but he still had a long journey aheadof him.
"Well, I don't want to keep you from your friendsany longer. Keep up the good work," she said, standing abruptly andvanishing her chair. Harry stood as well, and soon his seat was also gone. Thetwo then walked towards the exit. As Harry reached for the doorknob, her voicestopped him. "Oh, and Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"Best of luck with Mr. Weasley," she saidearnestly. "I imagine he'll be a bit put out for a while, but I'm surehe'll come around eventually."
"Thanks Pro- Minerva," he told her, meeting hergaze. "I appreciate that."
She gave him one last smile, then he turned and openedthe door. The two parted ways, Harry headed toward Gryffindor Tower but doubledback to the Room of Requirement to get in some of his own training beforedinner.
When he went down to dinner, he sat with Hermione,Neville, and Ginny. Ron, he noticed, was off sitting with Dean, Seamus,Parvati, and Lavender, looking as though nothing was bothering him. He wassmiling and laughing with the rest of them as if he sat with them every day.But once Harry sat down, he put Ron out of his mind and concentrated on hisfood and the conversation around him.
His friends were all curious to know what he andMcGonagall talked about. Harry kept his answers simple and vague. They talkedabout his classes. She observed both the BHA and IHA today. Yes, he knew shewas there the whole time. No, that isn't why he was so hard on Ron and Seamus;he would have done the same even if she was not there. She just told him thatshe was impressed with the way he handled his classes. They talked briefly,then left.
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