The Meeting

**Bathsheda Babbling**

"Breath, breath. Calm yourself Sheda, you can't let our fight get in the way." Trying, and failing, to calm down, I continue to speak to myself as I pace my office, "You need to keep things professional. Calm, calm."

Checking the time, I curse to myself as I walk through the door connecting my office to the meeting room. Lining the circular room are doors that connect to every active teacher's office. Stars shine through the windows between each door but barely help the chandelier in the middle in lighting up the room.

The table in the middle of the room seemed too small for the room today, only holding seating for twelve. Even though I'm early, I don't seem to be the first one here. Looking around the room, Dumbledore, Quirrell, Hagrid, Filius, and Minerva got here before me. Eyeing Quirrell suspiciously, I take my seat next to Minerva.

I get why the rest of them would be here early, they all have a vested interest in Catlyn, but why did Quirrell?

"What happened after you left?" Minerva quietly asks me.

"You'll find out during the meeting."

Next to arrive is Severus, who I promptly blocked out with a book in my face. I can feel Minerva's eye roll as I hide. Then Sprout, Sinistra, Madam Hooch, and Binns all take their seats until Madam Pomfrey is the last to arrive.

"Sorry for being late, I had to tend to my patients," Madam Pomfrey apologizes as she rushes through her door.

"How many are there this year?" Sinistra, Astronomy teacher, asks, chuckling a little.

"Three! I swear, every year I'm getting more and more patients on the first day!" With Minerva clearing his throat, the chatter falls silent.

"As some of you are aware, I called you all here to discuss Catlyn Ollivander."

"Again? Didn't we already discuss this before admitting her? If that's it then I'm returning to my office," The ghostly History professor, Binns, grumbles as he floats up from his chair.

"This is a separate issue," Dumbledore says, stopping Binns from leaving as he explains to them what happened.

"Forgive me if I'm out of line, but how am I supposed to teach someone who can't do magic?" The head of Hufflepuff, Sprout, asks once Dumbledore finishes.

"I have already taken care of that, all that I'm asking from you is to be lenient on her grading, and only grade her on practical portions during final exams." Dumbledore answers.

"How can I teach someone how to ride a broom when they can't touch or ride one?" Madam Hooch asks, confused.

"Filius, can you charm a pair of gloves to prevent Miss Ollivander from absorbing magic?"

At Dumbledore's request, the part-goblin ponders a moment before answering, "It will be tricky to make sure that the charm on the gloves won't also be absorbed. The gloves would only prevent accidental absorption from physical contact but I can do it."

"Sorry to interrupt but if she can only do magic with our help then what's the point in teaching her? We've already gone far enough to admit her kind in but this is going too far," Binns argues, igniting a small fire in my stomach.

"Her kind?" Hagrid growls as he starts to get up, only to be stopped by Dumbledore putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I will admit, we are taking a lot of risks for just one student," Madam Hooch agrees, adding fuel to my low simmer.

"I, arguably, more than anyone don't want to see unconscious students coming into the Hospital Wing with bite marks but there hasn't been. She's been drinking the animal blood and controlling her urges."

"It has only been one day," Severus points out, earning a glare from me.

"That-" Filius gets cut off as Dumbledore raises his hand, silencing the room.

"We've already voted once on her admission but if you want another, that's fine. Hagrid, Sheda, Poppy, because you aren't her teachers you won't get a vote." What are you thinking Dumbledore!

"All those in favor?" At his question, Dumbledore, Filius, Minerva, Quirrell, and Severus all raise their hands.

"If anyone feels that they can't or won't teach Miss Ollivander, come talk to me and I'll move her to a different teacher," Silence follows Dumbledore's comment as his eyes scan the room, "Now that that's settled; Sheda, what were you about to suggest in the Hospital Wing?" As all eyes turn to me, my mind blanks.

"I was? Oh, yeah I was about to say that it would, theoretically, free up some of her magic if she bypassed the silencing rune and performed wordless magic, but it's unheard of for an eleven-year-old to perform wordless magic, let alone consistently."

"Worth trying, would anyone be up for teaching her?" Dumbledore responds, causing a few mouths to drop. I could do it. I mean I do have two classes but they are both electives and I have free time.

Before I can offer, someone else beats me to it, "I'll-"

"I can do it," Severus quickly offers, cutting Quirrell off.

Dumbledore seems caught off guard by Severus' offer as I start glaring at him, "Ok, Snape, on Fridays you will be meeting with Catlyn. Is there anything else anyone wants to bring up?"

"I have something to discuss with you in private," Filius responds as Severus' eyes lock with mine.

"Ok, if that's all, that concludes the meeting."

As people slowly trickle their way out of the room, Severus and I continue our staring contest until we're the only ones left in the room.

"Why'd you offer? Do you think it'll make up for what you put her through?" I ask, trying to seem as calm as possible.

"I don't trust Quirrell. There's something off about him," Is the only response he gives as he glides back into his room.

As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. Quirrell's been acting very different since coming back from summer break. Him taking the DADA job was a shock to all of us. Then again, Severus might just be jealous now that I think about it.