Snape's expression was dark.
His black robes carried the chill of the dungeons.
At the sight of him, Sirius raised his eyebrows slightly.
"I thought you'd be late."
Snape gave him a cold look.
"I thought you'd waste fewer words."
McGonagall looked up.
"Gentlemen."
Sirius immediately raised his hands.
"All right, down to business."
He pushed the joint letter into the middle of the table.
"First point."
"Teaching data from any Hogwarts subject must not be used independently by the Deputy Head's Office as a sample for the Ministry of Magic's adult administrative reforms."
Flitwick nodded.
"Add a sentence."
"All subject data must include course context and expert explanations."
Sprout spoke.
"Herbology also needs risk classifications."
"The same plant poses entirely different dangers in different seasons."
Snape pulled the parchment over.
"The same applies to Potions Class."
"Ingredient batches, heat stability, students' wrist control."
"Letting Umbridge review these things."
"Would be like letting a teacup dog inspect dragon hide armor."
Sirius looked at him.
"Are we leaving that line out too?"
"Of course."
Snape said.
"Including it would make me look ill-mannered."
Sirius laughed aloud.
McGonagall silenced his laughter with a look.
"Second point."
She picked up a quill.
"Professors' weekly reports will no longer be submitted directly to the Deputy Head's Office."
"Instead, they will undergo collective review by the Subject Committee."
"Excellent."
Sirius said.
"Third point."
"Any review involving course evaluations and resource allocation."
"Must be jointly signed by the Subject Committee."
Flitwick added.
"Teaching satisfaction ratings must not directly determine material quotas."
"Students dislike practicing spells."
"That doesn't mean practicing spells is useless."
Sprout picked up the thread.
"Students dislike pruning Biting Cabbages."
"But they can hardly wait for the cabbages to agree first."
Snape said flatly.
"Students dislike me."
"That doesn't change the fact that they