One point I hadn't noted previously was your reference to Michael's 'personal power'. Michael isn't possessed of especial power or influence. He's not all that popular, and by Ravenclaw standards isn't terribly studious (bright, but lazy). Unlike Harry, he's not even very good on a broomstick.
He's got quite the temper though. And he bites.![[Image: roll.gif]](http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/roll.gif)
The follow-up to the above scene is below. Comments and criticism would be very welcome.
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The other Ravenclaws seemed surprised that Michael had any appetite at all for his dinner. Most of them were merely picking at the meal, but Michael ate heartily. As he pointed to older students who approached him with horror stories about McGonagalls detentions, even a man condemned to die is entitled to a last meal.
He lingered a little over pudding, admitting privately to himself that he was putting off the detention as long as he could, but when Professor McGonagall left the high table and went up the stairs to her office, not far from the transfiguration classroom, she found Michael leaning against the wall by the door, a small book open in his hands and a short length of crimson ribbon wrapped around two fingers. Looking up as he heard her approach, the boy used the ribbon to mark his place and the book vanished into the folds of his robe. He said nothing, only standing straight as she reached the door.
Silently, her eyes still icy, the Professor gestured to the door, and there was a clearly audible click as the lock turned. A moment later, the heavy oak door swung open, just in time for her to enter without breaking stride. Without prompting, Michael followed her inside standing just far enough inside for the door to swing closed behind him. The sound of the door hitting the frame sounded very loud as compared to the silence between the rooms two occupants.
Still they said nothing, although McGonagall seated herself behind a large desk heaped high with neatly ordered scrolls and a rack of scrolls and bottles of ink in various colours. For his part, Michael removed his glasses, wiped the lenses with the hem of his robes sleeve and placed them back upon his nose.
On one level, Mr. Potter, she said at last, This feels very familiar. There was no yield in her voice, only an intentness. Your father, along with his partners-in-crime, found themselves stood very much where you are now far too often for my liking and or theirs. There are, however, certain differences. Her eyes flicked down to the Ravenclaw tie that Michael wore.
Michael said nothing, meeting her gaze calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
Even now, Mr Potter, you do not seem to think that you have done anything wrong, McGonagall stated.
I was rather provocative with that mighty Head of Gryffindor bit, Michael said thoughtfully. Aside from that? No, not really. There was a bite of challenge to the last sentence.
McGonagall raised one eyebrow. So, she said frostily. Deriding the efforts of those who spent their lives fighting against tyranny is not wrong? Undermining the authority of the teaching staff is acceptable? Publically disputing a Head of Houses concern for her students is unimportant? I would not wish, she said cuttingly, to misunderstand your position.
May I defend myself against your assertions? Michael said, eyes blazing, voice soft and angry.
McGonagall inclined her head fractionally. The floor is yours, Mr. Potter.
Michael returned the gesture with slight bow. The remark that you interpret as deriding the efforts of those who fought against tyranny, he said in a lecturing tone of voice. Was an indirect response to your previous statement that it takes two to fight. You were, if I recall, admonishing me for not letting Draco Malfoy do and say whatever he pleases, even if he is a thief and a bigoted bully. The parallel I was drawing was that if thats right then no one should have tried to stop Voldemort from doing whatever he pleased, even if he did kill people. If it takes two to fight then what happens when one person attacks somone and they dont fight back? Because I think the one who doesnt fight is going to get clobbered and it wont matter if everyone says they were a good person if theyre dead. Lots of people like my Mum, I think - fought Voldemort they because it was the right thing to do and youre the one who derided teem, Professor McGonagall very publically when you said that they shouldnt fight for whats right because fighting is bad. Youre supposed to be the courageous one, but youre teaching people to grovel to tyranny, not to fight it. If me saying that to someone in my House offends you, then thats tough its a free country and I can say what I think if I want to.
Professor McGonagalls eyes had widened as she heard what looked like an eleven year old boy turn her own accusation back upon her, using simplisitic but remorseless logic. Her gaze was still cold but behind the mask of her face, she saw the image of James Potter she had overlaid upon Hal Potter shatter. The elder Potter could never have emplyed such a tactic for the most part because he had, at some level, recognised that he was responsible for what he had been punished for, even if he gloried in it.
Hal Hal didnt seem to care. With a sudden insight she realised that neither loss of points nor fear of detention had swayed him. Only her interpretation of his actions had stung him. And Minerva McGonagall had to wonder what had shaped him to be so much older than his years, not realising that behind those green eyes was a mind somewhat older and far more seasoned than that of Harold James Potter.
As for the authority of the teaching staff, I would be very interested in hearing how I have undermined it? I do not recall disputing at any point whatsoever your right to give orders, assign punishment or carry out any other function as a teacher. I may have discussed whether or not a Professor acted correctly in any of those roles, but that is entirely different from suggesting that they are not authorised to do so. And if you mean to say that I undermined the respect that Professors are entitled to, you have the right to command obedience in some matters. Respect on the other hand, for you to earn. Or lose. Michael folded his arms across his chest and glared. If you dont like having your integrity questioned, perhaps you should answer some of the questions that I asked you in the Great Hall. Why didnt your House approach you about Nevilles Rememberall being nicked? Because if your students dont believe that you care, then thats a pretty serious problem. And if you dont like having your failings made public, well I dont like having my family discussed in public. Do as you would be done by, Professor. Do as you would be done by.
It had been a very very long time since Minerva McGonagall had seen red. Fortunately, decades of self-control kept her from saying anything. Because it was very nearly that long since she had felt so humiliated. No first year student should ever take that tone with a Professor. And they should never, under any circumstances, be right to do so.
I see, she said flatly.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
He's got quite the temper though. And he bites.
The follow-up to the above scene is below. Comments and criticism would be very welcome.
---------------------------------------------------
The other Ravenclaws seemed surprised that Michael had any appetite at all for his dinner. Most of them were merely picking at the meal, but Michael ate heartily. As he pointed to older students who approached him with horror stories about McGonagalls detentions, even a man condemned to die is entitled to a last meal.
He lingered a little over pudding, admitting privately to himself that he was putting off the detention as long as he could, but when Professor McGonagall left the high table and went up the stairs to her office, not far from the transfiguration classroom, she found Michael leaning against the wall by the door, a small book open in his hands and a short length of crimson ribbon wrapped around two fingers. Looking up as he heard her approach, the boy used the ribbon to mark his place and the book vanished into the folds of his robe. He said nothing, only standing straight as she reached the door.
Silently, her eyes still icy, the Professor gestured to the door, and there was a clearly audible click as the lock turned. A moment later, the heavy oak door swung open, just in time for her to enter without breaking stride. Without prompting, Michael followed her inside standing just far enough inside for the door to swing closed behind him. The sound of the door hitting the frame sounded very loud as compared to the silence between the rooms two occupants.
Still they said nothing, although McGonagall seated herself behind a large desk heaped high with neatly ordered scrolls and a rack of scrolls and bottles of ink in various colours. For his part, Michael removed his glasses, wiped the lenses with the hem of his robes sleeve and placed them back upon his nose.
On one level, Mr. Potter, she said at last, This feels very familiar. There was no yield in her voice, only an intentness. Your father, along with his partners-in-crime, found themselves stood very much where you are now far too often for my liking and or theirs. There are, however, certain differences. Her eyes flicked down to the Ravenclaw tie that Michael wore.
Michael said nothing, meeting her gaze calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
Even now, Mr Potter, you do not seem to think that you have done anything wrong, McGonagall stated.
I was rather provocative with that mighty Head of Gryffindor bit, Michael said thoughtfully. Aside from that? No, not really. There was a bite of challenge to the last sentence.
McGonagall raised one eyebrow. So, she said frostily. Deriding the efforts of those who spent their lives fighting against tyranny is not wrong? Undermining the authority of the teaching staff is acceptable? Publically disputing a Head of Houses concern for her students is unimportant? I would not wish, she said cuttingly, to misunderstand your position.
May I defend myself against your assertions? Michael said, eyes blazing, voice soft and angry.
McGonagall inclined her head fractionally. The floor is yours, Mr. Potter.
Michael returned the gesture with slight bow. The remark that you interpret as deriding the efforts of those who fought against tyranny, he said in a lecturing tone of voice. Was an indirect response to your previous statement that it takes two to fight. You were, if I recall, admonishing me for not letting Draco Malfoy do and say whatever he pleases, even if he is a thief and a bigoted bully. The parallel I was drawing was that if thats right then no one should have tried to stop Voldemort from doing whatever he pleased, even if he did kill people. If it takes two to fight then what happens when one person attacks somone and they dont fight back? Because I think the one who doesnt fight is going to get clobbered and it wont matter if everyone says they were a good person if theyre dead. Lots of people like my Mum, I think - fought Voldemort they because it was the right thing to do and youre the one who derided teem, Professor McGonagall very publically when you said that they shouldnt fight for whats right because fighting is bad. Youre supposed to be the courageous one, but youre teaching people to grovel to tyranny, not to fight it. If me saying that to someone in my House offends you, then thats tough its a free country and I can say what I think if I want to.
Professor McGonagalls eyes had widened as she heard what looked like an eleven year old boy turn her own accusation back upon her, using simplisitic but remorseless logic. Her gaze was still cold but behind the mask of her face, she saw the image of James Potter she had overlaid upon Hal Potter shatter. The elder Potter could never have emplyed such a tactic for the most part because he had, at some level, recognised that he was responsible for what he had been punished for, even if he gloried in it.
Hal Hal didnt seem to care. With a sudden insight she realised that neither loss of points nor fear of detention had swayed him. Only her interpretation of his actions had stung him. And Minerva McGonagall had to wonder what had shaped him to be so much older than his years, not realising that behind those green eyes was a mind somewhat older and far more seasoned than that of Harold James Potter.
As for the authority of the teaching staff, I would be very interested in hearing how I have undermined it? I do not recall disputing at any point whatsoever your right to give orders, assign punishment or carry out any other function as a teacher. I may have discussed whether or not a Professor acted correctly in any of those roles, but that is entirely different from suggesting that they are not authorised to do so. And if you mean to say that I undermined the respect that Professors are entitled to, you have the right to command obedience in some matters. Respect on the other hand, for you to earn. Or lose. Michael folded his arms across his chest and glared. If you dont like having your integrity questioned, perhaps you should answer some of the questions that I asked you in the Great Hall. Why didnt your House approach you about Nevilles Rememberall being nicked? Because if your students dont believe that you care, then thats a pretty serious problem. And if you dont like having your failings made public, well I dont like having my family discussed in public. Do as you would be done by, Professor. Do as you would be done by.
It had been a very very long time since Minerva McGonagall had seen red. Fortunately, decades of self-control kept her from saying anything. Because it was very nearly that long since she had felt so humiliated. No first year student should ever take that tone with a Professor. And they should never, under any circumstances, be right to do so.
I see, she said flatly.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.