“Finally, I would urge all of you to treat him as any other student, while watching to assure his continuing safety. The fact that he survived Voldemort’s attack does not make him invincible. He is an 11-year-old boy. Any comments?”

Minerva McGonagall promptly replied, “of course we will treat him the same as others, where appropriate, but you’ve just told us that the child is utterly ignorant of the magical world. How are we to keep him safe when he doesn’t even know what to avoid?”

Snape sneered. “Much to my disgust, I must agree with Minerva, Albus. Surely you do not expect the valued faculty of this venerable institution to simply ignore the brat’s predictable misbehavior – he is, as you said, an 11-year-old boy – until he gets himself into a situation, and only THEN attempt to remedy it? Surely we cannot allow him the same dangerous misconduct indulged in by the rest of the student body?” A muttered, “That is not at all what I said.” Echoed through the faculty lounge, eliciting snickers from many.

“What then did you mean, Minerva?” Enquired Dumbledore, ignoring the fact that the comment was clearly rhetorical.

“I simply meant that someone needs to teach the boy how to get around in the wizarding world. Besides that, Harry needs to be aware of the danger he is in now that he has entered the wizarding world. And yes, Severus, though I doubt it will be an issue I also think that somebody needs to keep the boy in line, if his relatives can't or won't. A quarter of the students and parents will have it in for him the moment he arrives. He must be cautious.”

And again I must agree with Minerva. Thought Snape. Though I’m sure she entirely means MY students and their parents, and none of hers.

“You mean to tell an 11-year-old that his fellow students want him DEAD?!” Exclaimed Flitwick. “That’s preposterous. Just let the boy be a child. We can protect him.”

Thank Merlin for the optimistic. Just what I needed first thing in the morning. Thought Severus. “We can, can we, Filius?” He sneered, “And when was the last time you roamed the corridors for errant students? Do you mean for me to stay awake all night keeping him alive?”

“The students know that they’re not allowed to wander the corridors at night, Severus.” Conciliated Filius. “Surely there will be no problems on that front.”

“No pro-! REALLY, Filius. Do you honestly believe that Harry will magically OBEY that rule?”

“All of the other students do, don’t they?”

Severus just gasped like a stranded fish, unable to speak. This time is was Minerva who snickered, amused by Severus' outrage.

“Um, Filius, in reality…no. They don’t. In fact, your Ravenclaws and my Gryffindors are the worst of the lot – yours in the library at all hours, mine generally looking for some harmless mischief.” The potions master shot her a glare.

HARMLESS?? You call stealing potions ingredients in order to make FIREWORKS harmless??? And what then is bloody IDIOTIC and DANGEROUS?

“Don’t look at me like that, Severus. The Weasley twins knew what they were doing. I’m sure they would’ve set them off safely outside.” Oh, really? You knew perfectly well that they would end up in my classroom. And you’d have been just as pleased, too, you old bat!

“And as interesting as this discussion is becoming, I must ask that we return to the matter at hand. I take it, Minerva, that you want Harry to understand the need to be careful, where you, Flitwick, would protect Harry as problems arise and Severus, you would prefer that we be stricter with him as a way of keeping him out of trouble?” All three professors nodded.

Minerva spoke up again. “I also think that Harry should have a tutor of some sort, to help him adjust to the magical world in general as well as more specifically to his classes, and to help motivate him if need be.”

For a moment Dumbledore seemed deeply in thought, as his eyes skipped between Severus and Minerva and Severus wondered what new scheme he may have come up with. Finally he spoke. “I am, in fact, in agreement with you three, particularly you and Minerva, Severus. Harry’s family took him in but don’t seem to care much for him. He could use someone special to guide and teach him. A…mentor, of sorts. Someone who, like Severus says, would take charge of his discipline, but who would also guide him in other matters and act as a role model. Someone for whom Harry’s safety would be the top priority.” Minerva looked very pleased. “And who would that be, Albus?”

Albus took a quick glance over at Snape, prompting the potions master to take preemptive measures. “How about his Head of House?” That’ll make Minerva happy; surely the boy will be a Gryffindor “That way he’d be easily accessible to his mentor and vice versa.”

Minerva also clearly believed that Harry would be a Gryffindor. “Absolutely. I’d love to take the boy when –if- he joins my House.”

Albus smiled broadly, though he was still looking at Severus and the twinkle in his eye made the younger man feel distinctly suspicious. “Then we are all in agreement? Good. Meeting adjourned.”