Minerva took the second parchnt, but the mont her eyes fell on the nas written at the top, her expression changed. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Miss Evans," Minerva mumbled, her voice laced with a hint of disbelief. "What is the aning of this?"
"I believe the language in my letter is quite plain and clear," Lily replied, raising an eyebrow. Her expression was like can you not understand basic English? She had not written so elvish language which did not even exist.
"This is my complaint against Jas Potter and Sirius Black," she continued. "For a long ti, Jas Potter has been creating a great deal of nuisance and problems in my life. While Sirius may not be an active participant, I cannot say he is not an accomplice."
"I have ignored all the pranks and idiotic things Jas has done over the years, but for the past few months, he has been persistently disturbing and harassing . Sohow, he has suddenly started acting as though we are great friends, and he has been trying to force to behave as if I feel the sa."
"I am not his friend," she continued, "and I have no reason to reciprocate his feelings. We are from almost two different worlds with two dramatically opposite set of views. We have nothing in common. We only have differences."
"I will admit he is not as vile as the Slytherin pure bloods," she said. "But he is certainly no less arrogant. He reeks of arrogance and false pride. He acts if he is so almighty just because he is sowhat good in performing spells. He is irresponsible and has no sense of proper behaviour. Creating chaos and nuisance under the guise of pranks is not sothing I appreciate."
"I am not asking for any punishnt," Lily clarified. "Despite all his flaws, he has not crossed certain lines. At least not with and I cannot say for other students."
"What I want is simple. That he stops disturbing . Either you or the headmaster must bar him from approaching . It does not matter."
She continued further, "I want it to be made it clear to him that I have no interest in his friendship, and I do not want him or his friends buzzing around ."
Lily finished everything in almost one go, and by the ti she was done, Minerva wore a gobsmacked expression on her face. She had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams, that sothing like this would ever happen.
She had known all about the love hate relationship between Lily and Jas Potter, and like most students and professors, she had been confident the two would graduate from Hogwarts as a couple. This was an idea which was had been very widely prevailed in Hogwarts.
But clearly, Lily did not enjoy Jas' presence. And this was sothing hard for Minerva to believe.
Yet, she could not refute the logic in Lily's words. The two really had nothing in common. And though it is often said that opposites attract, that was obviously not the case here.
Lily had never shown any patience for Jas. Her words had been sharp, accurate, and, in hindsight, sothing that should have been obvious from the very beginning.
Then why had everyone, including herself, taken it for granted that they were a destined couple? It was a question Minerva had no answer to. She could not place a finger on how could she have missed such huge differences between the two.
"Professor?" Lily's voice snapped her out of her daze. "I hope you understand what I am trying to say and that you will firmly relay my wishes to Jas Potter."
Minerva had no ready response. It was not in her hands.
"Are you sure about this, Miss Evans?" she asked.
"Yes," Lily replied with unwavering certainty. A lot of fog had dissipated from before her eyes.
Minerva nodded slowly. As much as she wanted to support her student, this was not a matter she could decide on her own.
As Head of Gryffindor House, she should have had considerable authority but most of it had been quietly usurped by Dumbledore over the years.
The four House Heads were little more than puppets in Dumbledore's hands now.
By Hogwarts regulations, the headmaster was supposed to serve as an administrative overseer. The headmaster was like a figurehead of the school. He was supposed to represent the school at Ministry and the board. He also had the mandate to fra regulations governing day to day life at Hogwarts in consultation with the Board of governors.
Student affairs was a matter falling strictly under the jurisdiction of House Heads.
But Dumbledore followed no such regulation. He was deeply entrenched in the daily lives of students. He took regular reports on what was happening in each House, and even minor decisions required his approval. The house heads were rely ans to carry out his decisions.
Minerva did have the authority to bar Jas Potter from approaching Lily but not without Dumbledore's permission.
"I will take my leave then, Professor," Lily said as she rose from her seat.
Minerva gave a stiff nod. "I will see what I can do."
"Hopefully, you or Hogwarts do not disappoint ," Lily murmured before turning and walking out of the office.
The mont she was out of sight, Minerva slumped in her chair. Her best student was going to be disappointed. She could feel it already. She knew Dumbledore better than anyone else, and she knew he would not lift a finger.
Dumbledore took no action. Inaction was his greatest weapon. Dragging things was another.
And she could not even imagine how she would face Lily once it beca clear that no action would be taken. She could not bear to think of the look of disappointnt she had seen on that brilliant young face.
It was her responsibility to address such issue and she was failing in her responsibility. It was her weakness that she could not dictate the welfare of her students.
She sighed deeply as she clenched both the parchnts tightly in her hand. A resolute expression on her face as she left her office and departed towards the office of headmaster of Hogwarts.
It was going to be a long long night in Hogwarts.
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