Chapter 7 Never get McGonagall's tartan in a twist
Sirius finished his practical test. Although he had planned to hang around and wait for James, McGonagall told him to stand against the wall until she was done. What the heck?
As time wore on, Remus, Peter and James joined Sirius sourly standing against the wall.
Once the last of the test takers entered and left her with no line, McGonagall briskly instructed, "Come with me."
Upon reaching McGonagall's office, both James and Sirius easily relaxed in two of the chairs, fearing nothing. Peter perched on the edge of a chair near the window, with the hope that McGonagall would not focus on him. Remus sat up straight and looked attentive.
"Two months of attacking the young ladies of this school! And you, Mr. Lupin, a prefect."
Remus replied earnestly, "It wasn't us, Professor."
"Oh really?"
"It was Snape," added Sirius.
"Mr. Snape must be pretty talented to cast spells while in a body bind."
"He wasn't in it the whole time, professor," asserted James.
"And he had help," complained Peter. "Regulus Black trying to get us in trouble. He's always been jealous of Sirius."
"There are plenty of witnesses that saw you attack Mr. Snape without cause. You tried to suffocate him, broke his nose, and then removed all his clothing. On that last note, I think it likely that it was you boys who have been jinxing the clothing of other students, rather than Mr. Snape. It would also seem rather incredible that you would try to tell me that instead of accepting assistance from other students, he chose to jinx them instead of his attackers."
"He is rather twisted," Sirius complained.
"Should be committed to St. Mungo's for our safety," James agreed.
"Gryffindor house is known for its bravery. Ambushing an unarmed opponent, and then having the nerve to lie. How many times have I had to listen to your cowardly falsehoods? Then turning on students put into authority – Miss Evans is a prefect, and Miss Oakby is Head Girl. It's their word against yours."
James countered, "What about Remus? He's a prefect too. He didn't even cast a spell this morning."
"A prefect?" McGonagall asked incredulously. "I think a realprefect would have stepped in and tried to break up the fight. Especially a Gryffindor prefect who should know right from wrong, like Miss Evans. Rather than sitting on the sideline as a spineless spectator like Mr. Lupin who also did not even stand up for his fellow prefect."
"Oi! It wasn't like that at all," complained Sirius in defense of Remus.
Narrowing her eyes and turning on Remus, McGonagall growled, "All right, Mr. Lupin, here is your one and only chance to tell me why you should still be allowed to be a prefect. Did you say or do anything in defense of Mr. Snape, Miss Evans or Miss Oakby?"
When Remus hesitated, James exclaimed, "It was happening too fast for him to do anything."
Peter nodded in agreement.
They really were trying McGonagall's patience. "Too fast? Is that the only reason why a Slytherin third year was able to react faster when he saw a savage attack on someone's person and dignity, rather than one of the prefects I chose to represent Gryffindor?"
Sirius stood up in disgust at what she suggested. "Listen here, I won't put up with you insulting Remus. My brother is a low-life Slytherin who wouldn't lift a finger -"
"Sit down! I am not finished, Mr. Black," roared McGonagall with a fire in her eyes. "I'll tell you what I find insulting. The Headmaster has opened Hogwarts to more than just students with a witch and wizard as their parents. You four have taken it upon yourselves to contradict this policy openly."
"We did not!" James declared.
"Let me put it in simpler terms, Mr. Potter. You yourself said you attacked the half-blood student because he exists. Then you attacked a muggle born student, and then another student who was trying to help them. I think the term you use among yourselves would be 'blood traitor' for someone helping those of that are not purebloods like the four of you.
"I can only remove fifty points each because that's all Gryffindor has, while still allowing the twenty points I gave Miss Evans to remain. Never in all my time as head of house has Gryffindor fallen so low. I am also removing Mr. Lupin as prefect. I cannot leave him in a position of authority if there is the chance that he will abuse it, even if it is through inaction. We are going to see the Headmaster now for further actions that can be taken, including the possibility of expulsion."
"No way! Slytherins are always spouting that pureblood nonsense," Sirius complained.
"And I didn't mean it that way, Professor, when I told Evans that I was attacking Snape because he exists. I would have attacked him no matter who his parents are. We don't go around calling people those kind of names."
"Damn straight," Sirius agreed.
Since he became a prefect, Remus had a slight inkling that something like this could happen – getting the prefecture taken away due to his friends – however, the bigger threat of expulsion because he was a werewolf always seemed more likely.
Prof. McGonagall arrived at the Headmaster's office with two angry students and two worried students.
There was no offer of candy or tea as the five new arrivals took their seats. Nor did Dumbledore share a smile or allow his eyes to twinkle.
Albus Dumbledore began his speech with a sigh, then said, "I am very disappointed in the four of you. Although it is with a slight degree of relief that we now know who has been assaulting the female students, the way you have openly flaunted your disregard for your fellow students is appalling."
He held up a hand when Sirius and James tried to interrupt. "I also find your thoughts to avoid punishment by waiting till the end of the school year to hold the gross spectacle out on the lawn today reprehensible. There will be consequences.
There will be no sixth year male Gryffindor prefect come September. None of you seem capable of handling any kind of responsibility. Additionally, none of you will be allowed the privilege of being a member of the house quidditch team for the remainder of your time as students."
That was too much for James, and he exclaimed, "No way!"
"Would you rather not be a student, Mr. Potter?"
"But Gryffindor's crap without James!" protested Sirius.
"You young men need to rethink your priorities," snapped Prof. McGonagall.
The headmaster continued, "You will also be on probation for the remainder of your time here. Put one toe out of line, and you will be facing expulsion."
"Aw come on, as soon as someone hears that, they'll do their best to make it look like we've done something," pleaded James.
"I suggest you all learn to be model students then," commented Prof. McGonagall. "You'll have the entire summer to practice, and perhaps write a few notes of apology."
"Excellent idea, Minerva."