Minerva took the second parchment, but the moment her eyes fell on the names 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 meaning 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 some elvish language which did not even exist.
"This is my complaint against James Potter and Sirius Black," she continued. "For a long time, James 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 James has done over the years, but for the past few months, he has been persistently disturbing and harassing me. Somehow, he has suddenly started acting as though we are great friends, and he has been trying to force me to behave as if I feel the same."
"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 some almighty just because he is somewhat 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 something I appreciate."
"I am not asking for any punishment," Lily clarified. "Despite all his flaws, he has not crossed certain lines. At least not with me and I cannot say for other students."
"What I want is simple. That he stops disturbing me. Either you or the headmaster must bar him from approaching me. 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 me."
Lily finished everything in almost one go, and by the time she was done, Minerva wore a gobsmacked expression on her face. She had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams, that something like this would ever happen.
She had known all about the love hate relationship between Lily and James 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 James' presence. And this was something 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 James. Her words had been sharp, accurate, and, in hindsight, something 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 James 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 frame 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 merely means to carry out his decisions.
Minerva did have the authority to bar James 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 me," Lily murmured before turning and walking out of the office.
The moment 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 became clear that no action would be taken. She could not bear to think of the look of disappointment 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 parchments 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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