Harry potter The Boy Who Remembers

It was a chilly October morning at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Senior staff had gathered for their monthly meeting.

Minerva McGonagall felt exhausted. This has been her most difficult year so far. Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy coming to Hogwarts at the same time caused a resurgence in the Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry that had been slowly becoming dormant after the end of the war.

There was always some tension between the two houses, but never like this. The first years often took it out of their system by Yule. But this year was different. Somehow, Longbottom and Malfoy have stirred their seniors, renewing their interest in the rivalry. It didn't help that Albus was insistent on making sure that Slytherin and Gryffindor students share half their subjects together – especially the practical sessions – to 'mend the rivalry with proximity and friendships.

No one would ever deny Albus' genius, but sometimes, the man simply didn't make sense. She gave up trying to understand his motivations decades ago.

The transfiguration mistress looked around and saw that the other professors looked as tired as she was. This rivalry thing was getting too far. The constant hexing and curing, the pranks and duels that the staff had to deal with, were taking a toll on all of them. And Albus was insistent on not forcing the issue.

Professor McGonagall took her seat at the long table adjusting her spectacles as she surveyed her colleagues. As usual, the room was bustling with conversations, but today there was an undercurrent of tension that everyone carried. This year was simply too different. This was more of an informal meeting that they held every month or so to discuss their students and make certain decisions. It was for Senior Professors only since it was their responsibility to communicate any major decision to their juniors. Even the Defense against the Dark Arts professor wasn't invited because they tended to last very little for them to be comfortable with them during informal meetings. Of course, they are invited to the formal meetings at the end of each term, but not for things like these, with colleagues Minerva had worked with for years and considered many of them to be friends.

Finally, the Headmaster arrived and took a seat at the head of the table, his twinkling blue eyes surveying the group of professors assembled before him.

"Good morning, everyone," he began. "I trust you are all settling into the new school year well?"

The professors nodded and murmured their assent.

McGonagall gave them a glare and decided to force the issue, "Are you all joking here? Albus, we need to do something about the Gryffindor Slytherin rivalry. It's getting too much. Pranks, curses, spells, duels, Hogwarts is turning into a battlefield, and we need to reign our students in."

"They're just boys, Minerva," the headmaster admonished as if she was still a child, "they'll learn to control themselves as they grow up."

"They won't because like it or not, it looks like you're encouraging them. Going over the rules and naming Longbottom as the Gryffindor seeker was over the line, and you knew it and still made me do it. It looks like we're rewarding him for getting into a fight with the Malfoy boy. They need to be disciplined," Minerva protested.

"My dear, I simply thought that Quidditch practice would distract the boy enough to stop this rivalry. You must have seen a slight decrease in the number of pranks ever since you let Oliver Wood mentor him." Dumbledore explained, and Minerva had to admit that he was right. It was still very hectic, and the situation was still worse than the previous years, but Neville Longbottom stopped getting involved in these duels, being too busy to keep up with his studies and Oliver Wood's demanding training.

"This is only mitigating the problem. The boy needs to learn not to attack other people for a war that ended over a decade ago. And like it or not, the boy is setting an example for all the Gryffindors in the school. We need to be more severe with our punishments. Give them longer detentions or more strenuous ones when it's related to fighting."

Dumbledore seemed to age and nod, "Alright, double your punishments when it comes to spell fights and pranks. Severus, how is your house dealing with the heightened hostility."

"Nothing," the man drawled, "The court of Slytherin does not involve themselves in matters of third years or younger. When someone older involved themselves in the rivalry issue, they were punished internally. You will have no complaints from any of my older Slytherins, believe me. I'm afraid I cannot say the same for the Gryffindors."

Minerva winced. She knew very well that a few older students had been getting involved in the duels with the Slytherins, who seemed to be very coordinated. It had something to do with inner-house politics, which Slytherin was famed for. Whenever Severus spoke of any political tensions, conflicts, or decisions inside the house, he always said 'the court' as if that meant anything. Minerva had no idea which students were in this court, only that it only involved fourth years and older, and that they ruled the house of the snakes.

Dumbledore brightened at Severus' response, "Very well, since young Neville has started to calm down, I ask you to convince young Draco to do the same."

"As you wish, Headmaster," Severus answered, "The Weasley Twins need to be handled as well. Their pranks are starting to become more violent and that needs to be nipped in the bud. We do not need another version of the Marauders at Hogwarts, especially at this time."

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