McGonagall drew in a sharp breath, her face turning deathly pale as her voice trembled with anger.
"He can't! This... this is tyranny! Taking away the children's last bit of happiness in the castle? At a time like this?"
Dumbledore nodded calmly. "Minerva, that is the word I used. A mild one, but tyranny nonetheless."
McGonagall stepped forward anxiously. "We have to stop him! The charter... his decision violates the Hogwarts Charter signed by the school and the Ministry of Magic!"
Dumbledore gave a bitter smile and walked over to the small round table, where the Pensieve reflected his grave expression.
"I made my position clear to him. I told him that if he insisted on enforcing this decree, then, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I would regretfully end the friendly relationship we had maintained with the Ministry of Magic for many years."
Shock flashed through McGonagall's eyes before hardening into firm approval. "You threatened him. That's a dangerous move, Albus. It will make him see you even more as an enemy."
"We already are, Minerva." Dumbledore's deep gaze rested on the swirling silver substance in the Pensieve. "His threat was far more direct than mine. He sees Vincent as a dark force."
McGonagall's small hands clenched tightly. "He... he has gone mad! Was driving Vincent away not enough? Does he intend to drive all of us away?"
Dumbledore slowly nodded, then shook his head. "He has never been willing to relinquish the power in his hands. Perhaps..."
He raised his head, his gaze sharpening. "Things have already developed in directions we never anticipated. We must prepare for two possibilities.
"First, he may temporarily back down because of my threat and not dare issue the decree rashly. But that would mean he would redouble his efforts to make trouble for us